GÜLSE BİRSEL

What are the options for little girls in Turkey GÜLSE BİRSEL

What are the options for little girls in Turkey?

Ten years ago in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır, a 12-year-old girl was married off to a 23-year-old man. An imam had carried out their marriage ceremony, which means it was not an official wedding.

May 17 2017
Back to square one on İstiklal Street GÜLSE BİRSEL

Back to square one on İstiklal Street

A photo that has gone viral on social media nowadays is one that is comparing the current state of Istanbul’s İstiklal Street and how it used to look 10 years ago.

May 10 2017
A rock star is wanted for the 49 percent GÜLSE BİRSEL

A rock star is wanted for the 49 percent

Former Republican People’s Party (CHP) chair Deniz Baykal made a call regarding Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the current CHP chair, saying, “If he is not going to be a presidential candidate, then he should immediately convene the party congress so that the presidential candidate is elected.”

May 03 2017
Voting with the limbic system GÜLSE BİRSEL

Voting with the limbic system

A couple days ago a sweet photo drew my attention. It showed two men sitting down, seen from behind. One was wearing a “Yes” campaign vest, while the other was wearing a “No” vest. The no voter’s arm was on the shoulder of the yes voter. They were campaigning on opposite sides but they were still side by side

April 13 2017
What Third World War What now Why now GÜLSE BİRSEL

What Third World War? What now? Why now?

My life is like a political history lesson. At this age of mine, I have seen three to four coups, several military operations, huge economic crises, dozens of terror attacks, historic protests and major exoduses. If you add a Third World War to it, I swear I will come and find you!

April 09 2017
Once upon a time in the world’s most refined country GÜLSE BİRSEL

Once upon a time in the world’s most refined country

State-run Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) uploaded a portion of its archive on the web.

April 06 2017
From political parties to street parties GÜLSE BİRSEL

From political parties to street parties

Opinion polls ahead of Turkey’s upcoming referendum seem to show that calling naysayers “terrorists” or “tools of foreign powers” have annoyed both sides, even causing an increase in “No” votes.

March 29 2017
What about after Turkey’s referendum GÜLSE BİRSEL

What about after Turkey’s referendum?

To quote the lyrics of the popular 1979 song by superstar Ajda Pekkan: “What about afterward? What will I do after you? They years will pass mercilessly.” Later on, Pekkan sings that “there will always be tomorrows after todays.”

February 23 2017
Valentine’s cheese instead of roses this year GÜLSE BİRSEL

Valentine’s cheese instead of roses this year

I have always disliked Valentine’s Day (which is called “Lovers’ Day” in Turkey). I did not like this day even when times were better in the country. What is this teddy bear, for Pete’s sake? If you are old enough to have a lover then what exactly are you doing with a teddy bear?

February 13 2017