The State, Religious Communities, Sufi Orders, and the Second Kemalism
Socio-political developments that have profoundly unsettled life in Turkey show no sign of abating. On the one hand, the secular-Kemalist Republican People’s Party (CHP) is being targeted; on the other, certain Islamic groups are being subjected to political, financial, and psychological operations. Last week, an operation targeting the Süleymancılar, one of Turkey’s largest Islamic communities,...
As is well known, on February 27, 2025, Abdullah Öcalan announced that the PKK, which he had led for forty-eight years, had decided to lay down its arms. On July 11, a symbolic ceremony was held during which the weapons were burned. This marked the beginning of a new era in the Kurdish question—not only for Turkey but, indirectly, for the broader region. During...
4th Week of February: Peace with an Iron Fist
The last week of February witnessed rapid developments in Turkey, marked by the regime's new oppressive...
The potential removal of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) from terrorism lists by Turkey, the EU, and the US could foster peace and enhance Turkish democracy. This designation often serves political motives rather than reflecting legal truths, complicating peace efforts. Historical context reveals that both Turkey and the PKK share blame for violence. Delisting the PKK might renew negotiations, benefiting all parties, albeit with risks of restoration to the terrorist list if unsuccessful.
