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Aug 25, 2020

Istanbul's mayoral race was held twice in 2019, and opposition candidateEkrem Imamogluwon both times. Fast forwardfrom June 27, 2019the day Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), accepted the position of mayor to August 2020, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proudly announced the conversion to mosques of both the Hagia Sophia and theChora Museum.

TheIslamization of Istanbul continues as conservative Erdogan supporters enthusiastically cheer for the reconquest of the city with each new mosque announcement. Pro-government media ridiculeshow the West cannot accept the loss of theHagia Sophia or Istanbul. As television crews interviewed people waiting to attend Friday prayers on the day of the opening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque, one middle-aged man passionately said, Today, we took Istanbul back.

Even before Imamoglu assumed the mayors seat, it was an open secret that Erdogan intended to curtail the powers of municipal leaders. Butthe extent of usurpationhaving reached this level this quick was unfathomable. Al-Monitor spoke with both Justice and Development Party (AKP)and CHP members of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM).

The AKP holds the majorityin theIMMs city council. It has 39 smaller municipalities, and 24 of those belong to the AKP. The IMMs budget and revenues are a critical source of income, and the AKP is not willing to let it go. Istanbul accounts for 31% of the national gross domestic product.

Since June 2019, Erdogan has either generated decrees to return the metropolitan municipalities'powers to the ministries, or the AKP-led IMMcity council has managed to take over the decision-making power. The IMMhas not been the only target, as Ankara has even questioned mayors who tried to distribute free bread in the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Max Erdemandi, a researcher at the University of Maryland, told Al-Monitor, For Erdogan, making the 2019 local elections a referendum on his legacy was a huge mistake. He is now caught in a spiral of bad decisions that not only creates many obstacles that prevent Imamoglu from implementing effective governance but further tarnishesErdogans image as well.

IMMmedia relations coordinatorSukru Kucuksahin told Al-Monitor that Imamoglu is still awaiting an appointment to meet with the president.

However, Ankara seems determined to block Imamoglu from reaching any of his goals. For example, Imamoglu has expressed he is adamantly against Erdogans mega projectCanal Istanbul, an artificial waterway that would link the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara to bypass the vulnerable Bosporus Strait. Imamoglu explained thepotential dangers of the project based on scientific data on earthquake safety, economic burden and ecological threats. On Aug. 19, the IMMposted signs all around the city with the slogan that the choice was between Istanbul or the Canal. Police took down all the billboards after midnight. This sort of action by the police would normally require a court order.

The results of the governments power grabs concerning municipal matters became evident. On Aug. 12, Turkey was shocked to see workers drilling the stone walls of 14th-century Galata Tower, as IMMbureaucrats tried to stop the renovation. Back in May, after months of legal battles, iconic Galata Towers property rights were transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A similar process has beenfollowed for different historic sites;for example, the Chora Monasterys museum status was abolished in November 2019, and it was transferred to the Religious Affairs Directorate in July 2020.

The IMMalso tried to preserve two historic icons of the city: the Sirkeci and the Haydarpasa train stations. There was a tender under the state railwaysto rent the idle storage facilities, but with rather scabious justifications, the IMMs bid was eliminated. Instead, a former employee of the IMM, Huseyin Avni Onder,won the bid. Onder is the former chairman of the Archers Foundation(Okcular Vakfi). Erdogans younger son, Bilal Erdogan, serves on the board. The foundation received millions of dollars of financial support from the IMMbefore Imamoglus electoral victory.

In November2019, the IMMs AKP-majority city council decided to transfer the metropolitan municipalitieslands, along with buildings and businesses on those lands, to the smaller municipalities where the AKP had won.

"The IMMs revenues declined during the pandemic. So Imamoglu sought permission to borrow 4.2 billion liras ($575 million) for the city, but only 648 million liras ($89 million) was granted by the AKP-led IMMcity council, said Kucuksahin.

A member of the IMMcity council speaking on the condition of anonymity saidthis money was allowed so that AKP-friendly contractors could be paid for the debt accrued before Imamoglu became mayor.

In July 2020, 565 million liras ($76.5million) reserved in a bank account for the construction of a new metro was confiscated to pay for the debts accumulated during the AKP era. These are only a few of the unprecedented punitive actions taken against the IMM. The central government's power grab aims to thwart Imamoglus reelection prospects and restore a significant amount of income for the AKP's decades-long clientelism.

The opposition has won the electoral battle, but can they win the war against the central government? Indeed, some neighborhoods set the example of what the IMMis up against after all. The Beyoglu district is home to Istiklal Avenue, which used to be one of the most popular spots for tourists and gatherings. This is where Gezi Park protests originated as well as several other historic marches. The AKP delivered on its promise to clean Beyoglu. Shopkeepers became the perfunctory vigilantes against protesters.

Now,Kadikoy is going through a similar transformation. In July, the shopkeepers attacked a group of youth activists who were commemorating the victims of a terrorist attack. A real estate agent who has been in Kadikoy for two decades told Al-Monitor there wasincreasedpressure on real estate agents and building owners to rent spaces to the native and national people, meaning pro-government people. Then there is pressure on the existing shopkeepers to hire pro-government people. Financial inspectors keep writing fines and left-leaning shopkeepers leave the district, he added.

Last years electoral victories and Erdogans decreasing approval ratings in the polls give the opposition enthusiasm. Erdogan was able to use the IMMs mayoral post as a stepping stone to power. Replicating his model to success no longer seems possible.

The AKP removed most mayors and council members from the pro-Kurdish Peoples DemocraticParty in Kurdish cities. In the West, their titles remain intact. Buttheir municipal power is decimated, and they cannot even hangposters on their own billboards. Just like Kurdish signs are removed regularly, so are the Turkish ones if the AKP doesnt approve.

These repeated injuries are taken to the courts, only to confirmwho really holds absolute political power. Ballot box victories may no longer be sufficient to challenge Erdogans imperial powers.

Read the original here:
Is Turkeys opposition losing Istanbul to Erdogan? - Al-Monitor

President Erdogans controversial decisions have compromised Turkeys relations with its allies. While Ankara struggles in balancing its tensions in the Mediterranean and with Russia, it might have just created a new enemy India.

Why SCO Summit 2020 Could Be Make Or Break For India-China Relations?

Taking sides with Pakistan and commenting on the Kashmir issue, the Turkish government was recently seen propagating the same message as the Pakistani government, an effort to incite feelings of communal divisions within India.

President Erdogan has played a vital role in exposing Hindutva designs against the people of Kashmir and Indian minorities as the goons of proscribed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were lynching Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Dalit Hindus with impunity and the Indian authorities were providing assistance in actions against the Indian minorities and Kashmiris, said the chairman of Pakistans Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Shehryar Afridi, after a meeting with the Turkish ambassador Mustafa Yurdakul.

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a series of decisions trying to throne himself as the supreme head of the Muslims worldwide, an effort to take advantage of the countrys Ottoman past.

Turkey is playing a leading role for the entire Ummah (Muslims around the world) so that they remain united against their common enemy, Afridi said, emphasizing the urgent need to draw international media attention to Kashmir going in-line with Pakistans policy of taking the Kashmir matter on the international stage.

The lashes can also be seen as a part of bigger political alliances emerging in the new world order. Turkey, a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), has been lately hobnobbing with Russia for its defense equipment and has seen threats of economic sanctions by the United States which has already kicked Ankara out of its F-35 program.

Having renewed tensions with its historic rival Greece, Turkey now wishes to assert its stand at the global level that it is not going to back down.

While Turkey has been increasingly getting closer to Pakistan and repeatedly making comments about Indias moves in Kashmir, New Delhi has warned Ankara not to get involved in Indias internal matters, especially after gaining international support on Kashmirs integration.

India has also been overtly taking its stand against Turkish actions in Syria, stating that Turkeys actions can undermine stability in the region and the fight against terrorism.

According to reports, Turkey is involved in the region taking Pakistans side for economic reasons, as it wants to promote Turkish-made weapons, while its neo-Ottoman plans include expanding into the region as part of a pan-Islamic plan to unite all Muslims.In the end, the Turkish president is only constantly increasing and multiplying his enemies.

Continue reading here:
Turkey's Erdogan Engulfed In Crisis; Picks Another Enemy In India: The Greek Narrative - EurAsian Times

A few years ago, the Turkish president Erdogan criticized the historical TV series Magnificent Century because, in his opinion, the most famous TV series in history distorted the Ottoman dynastys history, which had not been shaped by concubine intrigue and competition.

His criticism coincided with the completion of the construction of the largest rulers palace in the world on a hill overlooking Ankara. It includes 1150 halls and is larger than the White House, the Kremlin, and Versaille. The 500 million Euro project incited protests, as it was built while the Turkish economy had been stumbling towards bankruptcy. The opposition claimed it demonstrated Erdogans megalomania, while he justified this achievement by saying it was a message: We wanted to tell future generations: from here the new Turkey was ruled!

Then, this is the new Turkey, Greater Turkey, whose absolute ruler ordered the establishment of a guard that would represent the 16 Turkish empires that are symbolized by the 16 stars on the Presidential Seal of Turkey. These guards seemed out of date. Some carry spears, others wear golden helmets, others still wear iron masks and chains, and some have grown heavy mustaches to culminate the scene, making it look like it came out of a historical soap opera!

From the zero problems put in place by Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkeys Erdogan switched to direct confrontation with most of the regions states, and Turkeys relationship with the European Union, and even the United States, became strained! The Turkish army launched operations stretching from northern Syria and Iraq to Libya, where mercenaries are brought together with extremist groups that have sprung out from under the Muslim Brotherhoods mantle. It is the Ottoman Crescent project that stretches from the Kurd Mountains, northern Syria, and the open-ended war on the Kurds to Sirrajs Libya and the war on the Libyan people, driven by the illusion of entrenching his influence through Libya. In Tunisia, interference is also intense through Gannoushi and the Islamist Ennahda Movement, while in Doha, there is a base looking over the Gulf state, and another is in Somalia, close to the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Harassment of Greece and Cyprus is also exacerbating, and the rift with NATO is escalating after Turkeys covetousness for the regions wealth was exposed! It is a crescent of ambitions that require much greater capabilities, in terms of military force and resources, than Turkey poses. However, with the publication of the Greater Turkey map, it seems that the Turkish presidents dreams threaten to ignite the region unless the Turkish people succeed in removing the danger to the area residing in the presidential palace in Ankara!

The map of Greater Turkey, published by Asharq Al-Awsat, dates back to the Seljuk era, about a thousand years in the past. It may have been valid in different periods, like that of the Ottoman conquests six centuries ago, because it includes the northern third of Syria, large swaths of Iraq and Georgia, all of Armenia, half of Bulgaria, northern Greece and the eastern islands of the Aegean and Cyprus... The publication of this map coincided with a military debate in Ankara on the blue homeland, which was summed up by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar as Turkeys imposition of its control on the surrounding seas, such as the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea!

Between Greater Turkey and the Blue Homeland, Turkey is facing devastating crises, with massive foreign debt, a decline of the Turkish Lira, high unemployment, and the implication of the coronavirus pandemic. Ankara, through threats and intimidation, has already obtained Western financial support, using Syrian refugees as pawns to extort the West. The ruler of Qatar also provides periodic funding to the Turkish regime, but the collapse and the expansion of corruption that mirrors that of the Lebanese mafia, has prompted Erdogan to search for alternative sources. He found salvation in trying to steal the Mediterraneans gas, which stirred the authoritarian rulers appetite. His desire doubled after the failure of exploration in Turkeys exclusive economic zone off Mersin and Antalya; thus, Ankara announced its intention to explore in the region that Cyprus is entitled to, citing an agreement with the unrecognized Republic of Northern Cyprus, exploiting the agreement for exploration under the pretext of preserving its rights and the rights of Turkish Cyprus to the gas-rich area that has the second-largest gas reserve stockpile in the world.

What is happening is extremely dangerous and leaves the whole area on hanging in the balance. The Turkish presidency, which preaches about Greater Turkey and threatens military adventures, is not deterred by the danger of setting the area alight. It seems to be obsessed with propaganda machines with the aim of distracting the Turkish public with empty promises to stop the decline of Erdogans popularity and establish the ideological hegemony of the international organization led by Erdogan, the Muslim Brotherhood. His dangerous project operates in parallel with the Persian Crescent, and he is also cautious to avoid any collision with Israels ambitions for hegemony. As always, extremist projects in the region coexist, carefully avoid colliding with one another and come at the expense of the Arabs!

Today, with the French maneuvers, and to a less degree those of the Atlantic, against Turkey, and after the American Senates ratification of Energy Security in the Mediterranean law, the determination to establish a permanent American energy center in the region and the American ExxonMobils announcement of its intention to begin exploration, America is on the way to becoming a major player. Has Erdogan started to worry about the risks of a clash he hadnt accounted for? Especially since he knows that Turkey cannot count on its battleships, and it is well known that its maritime and air capabilities were weakened after the 2016 coup, and the widespread arrests of air and naval officers that accompanied it. The signs of the breakdown of his rumpus plans will not take long to emerge, but the fear stems from Turkeys hovering on the edge of the abyss may lead to a major slip and the high costs that would be borne by the Turkish people and the peoples of the region.

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Erdogan and the Dream of 'Great Turkey' - Asharq Al-awsat - English

Erdogans Justice and Development Partys 2002 political triumph marked the beginning of the implementation of a program of unhurried and balanced change to transform Turkey. The Islamist rooted party pushed the campaign of political reconfiguration by side-lining the guardian of secularism the military and the security apparatus, who had diluted democracy through successive coups over six decades. The re-introduction of Islam in public life and the gradual resuscitation of the Ottoman memory in the public discourse tickles one to dwell into the paradox that whether Erdogan is imagining an Islamic State or just brandishing nationalism to remain in power for as long as he could wish.

In the month of July, a 1500-year-old monument, Hagia Sophia, was restored to a mosque which was earlier converted into a museum in 1930 by Ataturk. The move cemented the belief that the Islamisation process is aimed at creating Turkey as an Islamic power centre and therefore, an Islamic State. Some have even argued that Erdogans campaign at its core is intended to change the secularist status-quo. Without any conjecture, since Erdogan came to power, Islam has moved to the centre stage and Turks have become more vocal about their Muslimness. Though Erdogan tries to connect to Muslims throughout the world, but to say that he intends to create an Islamic State would mean falling into simplifications and narratives.

Since 1923, when Turkey became a country, the Islamic cultural code and its political model were side-lined and subdued. Kemalism was fostered as a national and progressive ideology. Post 1950, Islamism in Turkey began to show resurgence and gradually asserted political space through the 1970s. In the 1990s, Islamism secured political ground with electoral victories in 1994 and 1996 with Necmettin Erbakan becoming the first Islamist Prime Minister. However, the soft coup of 1997 once again brought Kemalism to political fore-front. With the turn of the century, Islamism or Islamists adopted more progressive and accommodative outlook while advocating for the freedom to live a life guided by religion which is Islamically pure and at the same time respecting secularism, pluralism and laciest culture. The first decade of rule by Erdogans Justice and Development Party (2002-2013) viewed secular ideology, religious freedom and the Anglo-Saxon model as the guiding principles for Turkey, while successfully marginalising the Kemalists, the military and judiciary through certain Constitutional amendments.

The third term of Erdogans rule is a milestone in Islamisation of politics. The AKP party, which initially appeared to carry democratic principles along with Islamic ambitions to gain peoples support, started asserting their Islamic motivations by side-lining the democratic values. By the third term, the AKP party successfully convinced the Muslim majority the necessity to adopt the Islamic beliefs and lifestyle. To lure large number of people to believe in his ambitions, Erdogan established many Islamic schools and also made significant reforms in all sectors of the society to incorporate Islamic ethics. He further filled the crucial posts with his supporters in the name of restructurings. The party drifted away from its traditional western partners and initiated ties with the Muslim countries, especially Iran. Erdogan put forward his pan-Islamic views while establishing relations with the Muslim nations. Apart from the policy changes, he repetitively advocated the Caliphate while addressing the world Islamic community (Ummah).

With the increasing Islamic reforms in Turkey, inferences surrounded the future of Turkey and Erdogans intentions. Being a secular nation for decades, would the people of Turkey accept the Islamic regime; and does Erdogan genuinely intend to build a Caliphate, remain the prominent questions to be addressed. Especially, after Turkeys increasing engagement with Iran, a state that strongly supports the Caliphate, most of the world speculates that Erdogan truly wishes to build a Caliphate; and Turkey being a Muslim majority state would benefit his intents. Yet, the creation of an Islamic State in todays world is not that simple. In principle, it may seem ideal, but to bring it to practicality is equally complex. Though the world witnessed such acclaim from the ISIS, however, in what form it existed is debatable. The Islamic State has its complete political model, cultural codes, legal structures and economic arrangement. In the first place, the concept of the modern nation-state; territorial limits; and the rise of nationalism limits the possibility of such a creation.

The Islamists throughout the Muslim world have sought to create such an ideal state. However, none could successfully establish a Caliphate. The Muslim world is mostly separated on sectarian lines, and most of them are in territorial wars with each other. Many of the Muslim nations are not politically stable to collaborate. Muslims from different parts of the world dont connect with each others ideas due to the long geographical distances and near absent cultural ties. It is hard to bring all the Muslim community in the world under one umbrella. The Muslims that converted lately doesnt have much knowledge of the Caliphate and dont emotionally relate to it. The strong sense of nationalism and substantial cultural differences, due to decades-long cultural changes shaped by respective nations, also contain Muslims from all over the world to come together. Various organisations like the ISIS and Al-Queda also announced their intentions of forming a Caliphate but could not succeed; rather, differences emerged between the two groups.

With all the obstacles and complexities, the formation of a Caliphate is near impossible. Erdogan, being a student of an Islamic school, is a strong believer of Islam and he has been highly influenced by the National outlook party which is known for its Islamic stance. It could be speculated that the Erdogans socio-political transformations are not intended to build a Caliphate but to make Turkey an Islamic authoritarian nation. Certain transformations made by his party also exhibit Erdogans desire to continue being in power. His international outlook is also to assert his influenc in the region rather than to collaborate towards a formation of an Islamic State. A detailed research on Erdogans ideas and strategies is much required to explain the events further.

Photo Credit : Getty Images

Mohmad Saleem SheikhPhd Fellow, JMI.

NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of New Delhi Times (NDT)

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How Erdogan is misleading the Ummah by promising Caliphate in today's world - New Delhi Times

FILE PHOTO: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan talks to media after attending Friday prayers at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey is determined to do whatever is necessary to obtain its rights in the Black Sea, Aegean and Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

We will not compromise over what belongs to us ...We are determined to do whatever is necessary, Erdogan said, a day after Germanys foreign minister sought to ease tensions between Turkey and Greece in their dispute over control of eastern Mediterranean waters.

Speaking at an event commemorating the 11th century military victory by Seljuk Turks over the Byzantine empire at Malazgirt, Erdogan also called on Ankaras counterparts to avoid mistakes that he said would bring their destruction.

Tensions between Turkey and Greece escalated after Ankara sent its Oruc Reis survey vessel to disputed eastern Mediterranean waters this month, a move Athens called illegal.

Turkey and Greece, NATO allies, vehemently disagree over claims to hydrocarbon resources in the area based on conflicting views on the extent of their continental shelves in waters dotted with mostly Greek islands.

If there is anyone who wants to pay its price, they are welcome to confront us. If not then they should go away so we can handle our own business, Erdogan also said.

Germany has sought to mediate between Ankara and Athens. Greece and Turkey said they want dialogue but each warned that they would continue to defend their rights in the region.

France will join Italy, Greece and Cyprus for military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean until Aug 28.

Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Dominic Evans

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Erdogan says Turkey won't compromise over rights at sea - Reuters