Synopsis
EU Warns of Democratic Backsliding in Turkey
In what may be one of its most critical annual reports on Turkey to date, the EU warns the candidate country to beware of democratic backsliding, citing its worrying track record with regard to rule of law and rights and freedoms. It also highlights heated foreign policy disagreements.
International Law and Conventional Economy Lag Behind Environmental Crisis
FeniksTalk’s recent event examined the global environmental crisis from the perspectives of international law and local economies, underlining that diverse and comprehensive legal and economic policies should be applied to cope with climate change.
Internet and Media Freedoms Continue to Decline in Turkey
Internet and media freedoms continue to decline in Turkey under strict control of President Erdogan’s government stated Gurkan Ozturan from the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) in FeniksPod’s latest episode.
Kosovo Lacks Ambassadors In Times of Diplomatic Hardship
Only 19 of Kosovo’s 31 embassies abroad currently have ambassadors. This marks a significant failure on the part of the government just as the country needs diplomatic strength to fortify its position as an independent state.
NATO 2030 Projection Faces Myriad Challenges
FeniksPolitik organized its first in-house event on the future of NATO and the challenges it faces in confronting a changing Middle East, the US pivot to Asia, increasing presence of Russia and China in the region and intra-alliance tensions tied to a Turkey in democratic decline.
Pact For Pluralist Democracy Needed In Post-Erdogan Turkey
Amid deepening economic crisis, domestic and foreign policy disarray, and the decline of public support for Turkey’s strongman president, discussions on what a Turkey without Erdogan could/should look like are becoming more prevalent. Still, many experts agree that the end of Erdogan’s rule in and of itself wouldn’t usher in an era of democracy, especially without the opposition’s adoption of a pluralist approach.
Erdogan-Biden Meeting Left To Our Imagination
The much-anticipated meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan failed to address even the most pressing issues. For all we know, which isn’t a lot, the leaders will enter into more substantive discussions later. But on what? They didn’t even announce what was spoken about.
Vaccinations in Israel: Extraordinary Success or Ordinary Exclusion?
More than half of Israel’s population has now received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite these impressive results, criticisms of Israel’s exclusion of Palestinians from its vaccination campaign have come to the fore.
The “Great Recession” vs the “Great Lockdown”
Along with massive consequences for public health, the global pandemic has taken a toll on the world economy. Due to mandatory lockdowns, economic activity has been all but crippled, barring the operations of most of non-essential businesses.
A New Constitution for Turkey?
President Erdogan, in coordination with his MHP coalition partner, has declared his intent to open the floor to debate on a new constitution. Nonetheless, interpretations of the vague and limited declaration vary.
Report: EU And US Should Restore Cooperation In Eastern And Southeastern Europe
A recent Carnegie Europe report argues that the EU and US should work to restore cooperation after years of distance under the Trump Administration. By doing so, they may better position themselves to promote democracy and rebuild influence in the face of disruptive actors such as Russia, China, and Turkey.
50 Percent Participation in Turkey’s Labor Force Illuminates an Economy on the Brink
Turkey’s official statistical institute reports decreases in the unemployment rate. Nonetheless, experts argue that the data is unreliable and simply represents the government’s attempt to whitewash the economy’s failing performance.
Biden Presidency will be difficult for Turkey
FeniksPolitik’s editorial board member Mehmet Yegin was interviewed by the Turkish daily, Karar, where he discussed US President-Elect Joe Biden’s expected foreign policy and its implications for Turkey
Turkey’s Economic and Political Crises May Be Leaving the Young Behind
Worrying polls and statistics show that the Turkish government’s seemingly endless political rifts and the country’s deepening economic crises may result in the loss of a bright generation
Turkey’s “Historic” Natural Gas Discovery might not live up to Expectations
Turkey’s President Erdogan has presented the discovery of natural gas in the Black Sea as a historic success, but realities point to their inadequacy
Brookings: China-U.S. Tension Expected to Escalate
A latest analysis of Brooking Institutions by Ryan Hass says China-U.S. tensions will likely to escalate amidst changing nature of their relations and China’s greater ambitions
Elizabeth Warren’s Mark on the 2020 Democratic Primaries
Even though Senator Elizabeth Warren didn’t win the Democratic Party’s presidential primary elections, she definitely influenced its outcome
Turkish Economy Faces more Headwind amid COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout appear to have compounded Turkey’s economic woes. As trade falls, tax revenue decrease, and the Turkish lira tumbles, the Central Bank appears to be near out of options