Turkey and the EU
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Creeping authoritarianism
Turkeyʹs one man band
In June, Recep Tayyip Erdogan became head of state in Turkeyʹs new presidential system, which grants him enormous powers. But the country is in the midst of a veritable economic crisis. Erdogan has his back against the wall. An analysis by Timur Tinc
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Turkeyʹs economic crisis
The sick man of Europe returns
A destabilised Turkey is the last thing Europe needs. Regardless of what one thinks about Erdogan, more important things are at stake: peace and stability in south-eastern Europe and the future of Turkish democracy. Essay by Germanyʹs former foreign minister Joschka Fischer
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Turkeyʹs new constitution
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, twenty-first century Sultan
Turkey's new presidential system officially came into force on Monday, giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan powers that no democratically elected leader of Turkey has ever had. The inauguration was preceded by another mass purge of the civil service. By Aram Ekin Duran
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Turkey's snap election
The calculus of alliances
The upcoming ballot in Turkey on 24 June will be a race between the People's Alliance, formed to keep Erdogan president, versus the Nation Alliance, which aims to beat him or at least win a parliamentary majority. The result, however, depends on a third party, the pro-Kurdish HDP. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
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Qatari foreign relations
The point of no return?
The crisis between Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt on the one hand and Qatar on the other appears to be approaching tipping point. The possibility of Doha's departure from the GCC and new alliances with Turkey and Iran is likely to trigger major shifts in the regionʹs balance of power. By Stasa Salacanin
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Turkish-U.S. relations
Erdogan's Machiavellian motives
The Turkish president and his AKP party are adept at switching sides. Now they're embracing Putin and damning the United States. Why? Because an up-coming trial in America could potentially compromise Erdogan. By Bulent Mumay
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Turkey and the Gulf states
Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Sticking his neck out for Qatar
Ankara′s unilateral siding with the Emirate of Qatar in the Gulf crisis is giving rise to fears that the Turkish President is gambling away his role as a credible mediator in this key region, writes Aziz Bouabe
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German-Turkish relations
Part of us
In reaction to the mounting German-Turkish political crisis, Germany′s Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has written an open letter emphasising that the shift in relations with Ankara should not impact on German citizens with Turkish roots. Commentary by Alexander Goerlach
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Freedom of speech in Turkey
Journalists under siege
A tragedy is slowly unfolding in Turkey. Since the failed coup attempt in 2016, more than 120 journalists have been arrested. "It's time we speak out for them," say the journalists from Al Jazeera who were imprisoned in Egypt. By Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed
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"Stranded. Refugees between Syria and Europe"
Forever in transit
For his reportage "Stranded. Refugees Between Syria and Europe" the writer Tayfun Guttstadt travelled to the cities of Turkey and along the Turkish-Syrian border. In conversation with Sonja Galler, he talks about the precarious situation faced by Syrian refugees, their legal status and Turkey′s lack of any kind of integration concept
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Turkey post-referendum
Reconciliation – not a chance!
The referendum campaign has polarised Turkey in a way rarely seen, but instead of seeking balance and reconciliation, Erdogan immediately announced further referenda on the death penalty and EU accession talks. A risky tactic, argues Ulrich von Schwerin
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Erdogan’s post-referendum Turkey
Divided, now rule
By expanding his powers through a slim, contested victory in Sunday's referendum, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan has consolidated his rule – over a nation bound for social turmoil. Diego Cupolo reports from Ankara