News - Assia Shihab

27/01/2011 - TURKEY

Battle of the booze: Turkey divided over new alcohol regulations

For the past two weeks, some in Turkey have expressed concern at new regulations on the sale of alcohol. They've sparked a row between conservative Muslims and pro-secular movements; the ruling AKP party, which has Islamic roots, has introduced a number of measures aimed at discouraging people from drinking. Critics fear this is an attempt to force a more Muslim way of life on what's always been a fiercely secular country.

16/12/2010 - TURKEY

'Operation Sledgehammer' goes to trial

A trial has opened in Turkey this week over the so-called 'Operation Sledgehammer'. 200 members of the military, including some senior commanders, are accused of plotting to overthrow the AKP government in 2003. The AKP has mildly Islamist roots, though Turkey itself and the military are secular. The government's critics say the trial's politically motivated, but there's no doubt it's bringing deep divisions within the country to the fore.

18/10/2010 - TURKEY

Battle of the headscarf

For decades, Istanbul University, the largest in Turkey, has been a stronghold of secularism, banning students wearing headscarves from entering the campus. But, this year, for the first time, the Islamic veil is no longer prohibited within its walls.

16/08/2010 - TURKEY

Kurdish separatists escalate violence

This year marks the 26th anniversary of separatist Kurdish struggles in Turkey. Violence in the country, instigated by the extremist group PKK, has increased during the past few months. Tensions between the majority and the Kurdish minority continue to escalate.

17/04/2010 - Cyprus

Presidential elections set to place in Cyprus

Presidential elections in Northern Cyprus will pit a ruling 'pro-solution' president against a hard-liner candidate who seeks closer ties to Turkey. What affect, if any, could the result have on Turkey's chances of joining the European Union, as well as reunification efforts?

TURKEY

An ally of Israel reconsiders

Turkey had been brokering indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria but since the beginning of the raids on Gaza that process has temporarily ceased. Meanwhile the Turkish population has become increasingly defiant towards the Jewish state.

TURKEY

A Kurdish renaissance

Turkey is gradually moving to lift a 1980s ban on the Kurdish language. TRT6, the first state-run 24-hour television channel to be broadcast solely in Kurdish, is a symbol of this change in attitude.

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