Though the accord has since stagnated – the PKK insists that Ankara is not keeping up its part of the deal – Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) continues to court the Kurdish populace, albeit half-heartedly.
The tit for tat rhetoric heralds a serious freeze in diplomatic relations and the possible loss of Israel’s strongest ally in the region.
Plagiarized logo or not, Erdogan has a clear shot to the presidency.
Before Erdogan took power eleven years ago, the presence of a Kurdish candidate in a presidential race would have been unthinkable.
Though no formal announcement has been made as of yet, Erdogan is expected to make a bid for the presidency — he has reached his term limit as prime minister -and is eyeing a constitutional amendment that would expand presidential powers.
Buoyed by the advances made by Kurdish movements in neighboring Syria and Iraq, little wonder that the PKK is upping its offensive.
A photo shows government advisor Yusuf Yerkel kicking a protester at a mine safety demonstration Wednesday.
2014 is shaping up to be a critical year for elections in the Arab world, notably in Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Iraq.
If Erdogan can maintain that level of broad popular support despite his political blunders and much maligned authoritarian tendencies, there is little chance Turkey’s opposition can present a serious challenger in next year’s presidential race.
But what should be an easy political victory for Erdogan risks being submerged in the lead up to the local elections, which are viewed by many analysts as a preview of the presidential race this summer.
