Turkey
Control of offshore gas and oil provokes conflicts in eastern Mediterranean
By Jean Shaoul, 24 February 2020
A new “scramble for Africa” is being tied into a new “scramble” for the eastern Mediterranean, as Turkey, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus, Lebanon and the European powers compete over gas exploration, production licenses and pipelines.
Fighting mounts as Washington backs Turkish attack on Syria, Russia
By Alex Lantier, 21 February 2020
US-backed Turkish military operations targeting Syrian and Russian units in Syria could escalate into an all-out clash between Russia and the entire NATO alliance.
Washington backs Turkey as border clashes mount with Syria and Russia
By Ulaş Ateşci, 19 February 2020
Washington is encouraging Turkish army operations inside Syria, risking a direct clash between the NATO alliance and the Syrian government’s main allies, Russia and Iran.
Dozens killed in growing border clashes between Turkey and Syria
By Ulas Atesci, 4 February 2020
This fighting threatens to escalate into a direct confrontation between Turkey, a NATO member state, and the Syrian regime’s nuclear-armed ally, Russia.
War tensions mount between NATO powers over Libya, Mediterranean
By Alex Lantier, 31 January 2020
The Berlin conference has set the stage not for peace, but only for stepped-up imperialist interventions to divide up the profits to be extracted from Libya and the entire region.
Right wing whips up anti-refugee sentiment in Greek island protests
By John Vassilopoulos, 31 January 2020
Posters advertising the protests portrayed refugees as invaders and bore the slogan “We want our islands back… we want our life back!”
Death toll rises to 38 after earthquake in Elazığ in eastern Turkey
By Ulas Atesci, 27 January 2020
Though Turkey is an earthquake-prone country and the state collects billions in a so-called “earthquake tax,” none of the necessary security measures were taken.
Erdoğan and Putin open TurkStream pipeline after Iran strikes US bases in Iraq
By Ulaş Ateşci, 11 January 2020
The opening of this strategic pipeline comes amid escalating conflicts over energy in the region and an esclalating conflict between the United States and Iran.
US assassination of Suleimani staggers Turkish government
By Ulas Atesci, 7 January 2020
The Turkish government took 10 hours to react to this illegal act of war carried out by its decades-long NATO ally.
Wider war over Libya looms as France, Egypt denounce Turkish intervention
By Alex Lantier, 3 January 2020
Less than a decade after the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya, the resulting civil war in that country threatens to escalate into an all-out regional conflict involving the major powers.
Erdogan vows to send Turkish troops into Libya
By Bill Van Auken, 27 December 2019
The Turkish deployment in Libya will escalate increasing tensions involving Washington, Moscow and NATO.
Turkish government blocks care of Kurdish HDP’s jailed ex-leader Demirtaş
By Ulas Atesci, 10 December 2019
Ankara is broadly cracking down on Kurdish politicians, including Kurdish mayors elected this year, amid growing ethnic conflicts linked to the imperialist war in Syria.
Erdoğan-Trump meeting resolves none of US-Turkish conflicts
By Bill Van Auken, 15 November 2019
While Trump described the meeting as “wonderful,” there were no indications of any substantive agreements on Syria, Russian S-400s or any other issue.
Wildcat strike by sanitation workers against CHP administration in Maltepe, Turkey
By Ulas Atesci, 4 November 2019
Simultaneous with the Maltepe municipal workers’ strike, workers in other municipalities, including Üsküdar, Ataşehir, İstanbul, Aliağa, İzmir, Aydın, and elsewhere are protesting against austerity and layoffs.
Washington threatens to fight Syria and Russia for oil
By Bill Van Auken, 31 October 2019
The restatement of US objectives in seizing Syria’s oil fields came amid border clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops.
Mehring Yayıncılık publishes new ICFI books for İstanbul Book Fair
By Ulas Atesci, 29 October 2019
Mehring Books will participate in the Tüyap International İstanbul Book Fair of November 2-10, with a stand located in the fourth meeting hall.
Germany, US threaten war amid Russia-Turkey summit on Syria
By Alex Lantier, 23 October 2019
German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer called for a massive European Union (EU) force to occupy northern Syria, involving up to 40,000 troops.
Fighting continues in wake of US-Turkish agreement on northern Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 19 October 2019
The “ceasefire” deal has only intensified opposition within US ruling circles, where the withdrawal of US troops from Syria is seen as strengthening Russia’s hand in the Middle East.
US claims “ceasefire” deal in Turkey’s invasion of Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 18 October 2019
After US Vice President Pence and Turkish President Erdogan met Thursday, Turkish officials bragged that Ankara got everything it wanted.
Trump defends US pullback in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 17 October 2019
Amid mounting opposition from within Congress and the military, Trump defended his order to withdraw a small contingent of US special forces from northeastern Syria.
Syrian army, Iran threaten counterattack against Turkish invasion of Syria
By Alex Lantier, 14 October 2019
A large-scale Middle East war could strangle the world's oil supply and escalate into a war between nuclear-armed powers. The working class is coming face to face with the real possibility of a Third World War.
Oppose the Turkish military offensive in Syria!
By the International Committee of the Fourth International, 14 October 2019
As Ankara seeks a militarist solution to ethnic and class conflicts inflamed by decades of imperialist interventions, the Middle East and the world are on the brink of all-out war.
New Anti-capitalist Party demands military escalation against Turkey in Syria
By Alex Lantier, 12 October 2019
The Pabloite NPA bitterly opposes a struggle to unify the working class internationally in a movement against imperialist war and the Middle Eastern bourgeoisie.
Crisis mounts over Turkish offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 11 October 2019
Trump’s green light for the Turkish invasion has prompted heated condemnations from his Republican allies as well as within the US military.
Turkey launches US-backed offensive targeting Kurdish forces in Syria
By Alex Lantier, 10 October 2019
Turkish air raids and artillery bombardments hit cities and military and civilian targets along approximately 100 kilometers of the Turkey-Syria border.
Washington green lights Turkish attack on Kurdish forces in Syria
By Alex Lantier and Ulaş Atesci, 8 October 2019
Trump abandoned to their fate Kurdish nationalist militias that have fought since 2015 as Washington’s main proxy force in the NATO war for regime change in Syria.
After the Turkish elections: How the pseudo-left rallied behind the CHP
Part III: The role of the Revolutionary Workers Party (DİP)
By Ulas Atesci and Alex Lantier, 4 October 2019
The 2019 municipal elections and re-run of the vote in İstanbul were a milestone in the integration of a whole layer of middle-class parties into the ruling establishment.
After the Turkish elections: How the pseudo-left rallied behind the CHP
Part II: The dead end of the petty-bourgeoisie’s orientation to the CHP
By Ulas Atesci and Alex Lantier, 3 October 2019
The 2019 municipal elections and their re-run in İstanbul were a milestone in the integration of a whole layer of middle-class parties into the ruling establishment.
After the Turkish elections: How the pseudo-left rallied behind the CHP
Part I: A political liquidation into the capitalist establishment
By Ulas Atesci and Alex Lantier, 2 October 2019
The 2019 municipal elections and re-run of the vote in İstanbul were a milestone in the integration of a whole layer of middle-class parties into the ruling establishment.
Introduction to the Turkish language edition of In Defense of Leon Trotsky
Leon Trotsky’s four fateful years in Prinkipo: 1929-1933
By David North, 23 September 2019
The following is the introduction to the recently translated Turkish edition of In Defense of Leon Trotsky, written by the book’s author, David North, chairman of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site. The book was originally published in 2013.
Russia and Turkey intensify military cooperation over US objections
By Ulas Atesci, 4 September 2019
Turkish purchases of Russian missiles and possibly fighter jets are fuelling tensions between Turkey and its imperialist allies in Washington and Europe.
Turkey removes HDP mayors amid impending military attack on Syria
By Ulas Atesci, 20 August 2019
The Turkish government removed mayors belonging to the Kurdish nationalist party as it plans a renewed attack on Kurdish YPG militias in Syria.
Amid Turkish war threats, Ankara and Washington to build “safe zone” in Syria
By Ulas Atesci, 8 August 2019
The Turkish government is seeking US approval to invade Syria and target Kurdish nationalist militias that serve as key US proxies in the Middle East.
Turkish government prepares to deport Syrian refugees living in Istanbul
By Çetin Akın and Ulas Atesci, 24 July 2019
Ankara has announced that Syrian refugees not registered in Istanbul have until August 20 to return to the cities in Turkey where they are registered or face deportation.
US, EU hail election of İstanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu
By Ulas Atesci, 4 July 2019
Whatever hopes workers and youth are encouraged to place in İmamoğlu and his political allies will be rapidly disappointed.
Turkish ruling elite whips up chauvinism against Syrian war refugees
By Barış Demir, 27 June 2019
Before the re-run of the Istanbul elections on Sunday, politicians from every major bourgeois party tried to whip up hostility against Syrian refugees in Turkey.
Turkey’s ruling AKP defeated in re-run of İstanbul mayoral election
By Ulas Atesci, 24 June 2019
The candidate of Erdoğan’s AKP, Binali Yıldırım, conceded the election Sunday night. The AKP forced the cancellation of the first election result on March 31 after suffering a narrow defeat.
As Washington threatens to punish Ankara over Russian S-400 missile purchase
US-Turkey conflict nears breaking point
By Ulas Atesci, 20 June 2019
Ankara’s S-400 purchase is a flashpoint for more significant and intractable geopolitical differences with Washington, including over the US war drive against Iran.
Istanbul public meeting calls for the defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By our correspondents, 30 May 2019
Leading members of Sosyalist Eşitlik and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality addressed the meeting, which adopted a resolution calling for the freedom of Assange and Manning.
Socialist Equality Group to hold public meeting in Turkey to demand freedom for Assange and Manning
By the Sosyalist Eşitlik, 22 May 2019
The meeting is part of the ICFI’s ongoing international campaign to defend Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
Acceding to Erdoğan’s demand
Turkish election authorities order re-vote in Istanbul
By Ulas Atesci and Keith Jones, 10 May 2019
If Erdoğan went to such lengths to overturn the Istanbul mayoral election results, it is because he fears any weakening of his control of the state apparatus under conditions of deepening economic and geopolitical crisis.
Turkey’s political crisis escalates after mob attack on CHP leader
By Ulas Atesci, 24 April 2019
The near lynching of the head of the main opposition party is the outcome of a bellicose nationalist campaign mounted by President Erdogan, his AKP, and their far-right MHP allies.
Opposition leader named Istanbul mayor, but election dispute continues amid multiple crises
By Ulas Atesci and Keith Jones, 19 April 2019
Even as its support among the urban poor has been seriously eroded, Turkey’s Islamist populist government is moving to impose a savage new round of capitalist austerity.
Defying US threats, Turkey vows to deploy Russian air-defence system
By Keith Jones, 12 April 2019
In a New York Times op-ed, senior Democratic and Republican leaders have signaled bipartisan Congressional support for the Trump administration’s threats to roil Turkey’s economy if it deploys the S-400.
US escalates threats against Turkey, leverages election controversy
By Keith Jones, 5 April 2019
The conflict over Ankara’s S-400 air defence purchase is a flashpoint for larger geopolitical conflicts arising from Washington’s turn to “strategic conflict” with Russia and China.
Ruling AKP retains majority, loses large cities in Turkish local elections
By Alex Lantier and Ulas Atesci, 1 April 2019
Workers' anger is growing over the economic crisis and the Justice and Development Party (AKP's) policies, but this opposition can find no expression within Turkey’s bankrupt political system.
US threatens Turkey over Russian S-400 air defence purchase
By Jordan Shilton, 28 March 2019
Despite Washington’s threats of sanctions and a downgrade in US-Turkish military security ties, Erdogan has vowed to proceed with the purchase and deployment of the S-400.
Turkish economy falls into recession, amid fears of further US economic reprisals
By Baris Demir, 26 March 2019
The Turkish lira depreciated by more than 5 percent last Friday, just nine days before nationwide local elections in which the ruling AKP is expected to suffer significant losses.
After fascist terror attack, New Zealand and Australia stoke tensions with Turkey
By Tom Peters, 25 March 2019
The Australian and New Zealand governments responded furiously to statements by Turkey’s president linking the massacre of Muslims in Christchurch with the Allies’ World War I campaign against the Ottoman Empire.
69th Berlin International Film Festival—Part 9
Three Turkish films (A Tale of Three Sisters, Daughters of Two Worlds, Oray)—Hoping for a better life
By Bernd Reinhardt, 25 March 2019
Three films at the Berlinale exude a humanistic spirit of enlightenment and dialogue. They suggest that everyone, regardless of their ethnic, religious or cultural background, has the right to a better life.
Amid deepening economic and political crisis, Turkey holds local elections
By Ulas Atesci, 21 March 2019
The ruling AKP faces bitter tensions with Washington and Turkey’s other NATO allies and an economic crisis triggered by the Trump administration’s trade war measures.
Halil Celik, a fighter for socialism (1961-2018)
By Peter Schwarz, 1 February 2019
On December 31, 2018, Halil Celik, founder and leader of the group Sosyalist Eşitlik, which supports the International Committee of the Fourth International in Turkey, died of cancer at the age of 57. This obituary presents an overview of his life.
US ratchets up threats against Iran, Turkey amid Syria withdrawal plans
By Bill Van Auken, 15 January 2019
While the timetable for US troops to pull out of Syria remains unclear, Washington is steadily escalating tensions in the region.
US, Turkey clash over Turkish plan to buy Russian S-400 missiles
By Baris Demir, 15 January 2019
The US team is expected to warn Ankara that Washington will not tolerate a Turkish purchase of Russian air defence systems.
US-Turkish tensions rise over Syria withdrawal plan
By Bill Van Auken, 9 January 2019
Turkey’s president denounced statements by national security adviser John Bolton on the Syrian Kurds after refusing to meet with a US delegation.
Turkey threatens to invade Syria amid tensions with Washington
By Barış Demir, 20 December 2018
Trump’s call yesterday for a US withdrawal from Syria reflected growing conflicts between Ankara and Washington over the bloody proxy war in Syria.
Trump rules out further action against Saudi regime over Khashoggi’s murder
By James Cogan, 21 November 2018
Trump’s only real concern is US “national interest”—namely, lucrative economic relations with the Saudi monarchy and Saudi support for US aggression in the Middle East.
US imposes limited sanctions on Saudi officials over Khashoggi’s murder
By Mike Head, 16 November 2018
The announcement’s timing points to the White House seeking to shore up the latest Saudi version of the events, which protects Crown Prince Mohammed.
US, Turkey risk direct military clash as they escalate war in Syria
By Barış Demir, 8 November 2018
Ankara is threatening an outright military occupation of large parts of Syria, which could provoke a direct clash with US forces.
Turkish ruling parties break planned election alliance
By Barış Demir, 2 November 2018
The AKP and MHP broke their alliance in the 2019 elections amid mounting differences on social anger among workers over the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump scrambles to cover for Saudi regime as crisis over Khashoggi murder mounts
By Barry Grey, 19 October 2018
Pompeo’s meetings with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed were aimed at signaling continued US support while making a pretense of seeking a full accounting of Khashoggi’s disappearance.
Trump backs Saudi Arabia, suggesting “rogue killers” murdered Khashoggi
By Peter Symonds, 16 October 2018
While Trump’s remarks are absurd, the hypocrisy of his critics in American ruling circles, given their long support for the murderous Saud regime, is staggering.
US, European powers threaten Saudi crown prince after Khashoggi murder
By Alex Lantier, 15 October 2018
Evidence that America’s closest Arab Middle East ally murdered a well known journalist exposes the criminality of the entire global financial aristocracy.
As evidence mounts of Khashoggi’s murder
Trump rejects calls for US to end arms sales to Saudi monarchy
By Jordan Shilton, 13 October 2018
The imperialist powers, with the US in the lead, are up to their necks in the blood-soaked repression of the Saudi regime, which has been exposed once again by the apparent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Murder in Istanbul
By Bill Van Auken, 11 October 2018
The apparent brutal assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul exposes the criminality not only of the Saudi regime, but also its principal patron, US imperialism.
Turkish government steps up attack on jailed airport construction workers
By our reporter, 10 October 2018
The arrests and the police-state methods of the Turkish government are an attack on workers not only in Turkey, but internationally.
The disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the hypocrisy of the New York Times
By Jordan Shilton, 10 October 2018
If true, the murder of Khashoggi will join a long list of savage crimes by the Saudi regime, very few of which have troubled the Times.
Journalist reported tortured and slain in Saudi consulate in Istanbul
By Bill Van Auken, 9 October 2018
The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi a week ago is further confirmation of the barbaric character of Washington’s closest ally in the Arab world.
Turkish president visits Berlin as US-European conflict in Middle East rises
By Alex Lantier, 28 September 2018
Erdogan went to Germany seeking an ally against Trump’s trade war measures and increasingly hostile policy toward Turkey in the Syrian war crisis.
Release the framed-up Istanbul airport workers!
No to pressure and intimidation against the working class!
By the Socialist Equality Group of Turkey, 25 September 2018
Construction workers framed by the government should be released instantly, and their demands for humane and decent working conditions granted.
WSWS demands Turkey release Max Zirngast, Hatice Göz and Mithatcan Türetken
By the World Socialist Web Site Editorial Board, 25 September 2018
Zirngast, an Austrian graduate student and journalist, was arrested September 11 together with the two Turkish leftists on trumped-up terrorism charges.
“It is not a crime for workers to seek their rights”
Turkish government frames up airport construction workers
By Jean Shaoul, 20 September 2018
More than 40 workers face severe charges, while hundreds remain detained after the government crackdown on construction workers protesting deadly conditions at a new airport site.
Hundreds arrested as construction workers at Turkish airport clash with security forces
By Jerry White, 17 September 2018
Thousands of workers downed their tools Friday after the latest in a series of fatal and near-fatal accidents at a construction site near Istanbul.
US escalates trade war against Turkey as Ankara moves to attack workers
By Alex Lantier, 17 August 2018
Washington is waging trade war on Turkey even as the financial collapse of the lira currency tears apart the Turkish economy.
Turkish crisis hits working people
By Halil Celik, 16 August 2018
The Turkish lira’s free-fall against the US dollar and the euro is having immediate repercussions on prices of goods and services.
The global implications of the Turkish lira crisis
By Nick Beams, 16 August 2018
Ten years after the 2008 financial crisis, the growing intensity of economic warfare threatens to collapse the financial house of cards created by the multi-trillion-dollar bailout of the global banking system.
The Turkish crisis and the threat of world war
By Bill Van Auken, 15 August 2018
Underlying the reckless and punishing attack by Washington on Turkey’s economy are predatory geostrategic aims that are threatening to drag humanity into a new world war.
Erdogan charges US “stab in the back” as Turkey crisis deepens
By Bill Van Auken, 14 August 2018
The Turkish president vowed to retaliate against “traitors” undermining the economy as the lira slid again precipitously on Monday.
World markets brace for impact of Turkish lira crisis
By Nick Beams, 13 August 2018
The European Central Bank has put on watch major European banks that are heavily exposed to Turkish debt.
Turkish lira plunges as US trade war measures strangle Turkish economy
By Alex Lantier and Halil Celik, 11 August 2018
President Trump is trying to use trade tariffs to compel Ankara to step up attacks on the working class and totally subordinate its foreign policy to US imperialism’s demands.
Erdogan wins Turkish elections with reduced majority
By Halil Celik, 25 June 2018
The electoral success of Erdogan and his AKP is mainly due to the bankruptcy and anti-working-class character of the opposition.
On the eve of Turkish elections: Erdogan prepares new intrigues and a major crackdown
By Halil Celik, 20 June 2018
In a short video, Erdogan asks his cadres to secure AKP majorities on ballot box monitoring committees, to “finish the job in Istanbul before it has even started.”
Support the Socialist Equality group in Turkey!
Statement of the SE group, in sympathy with the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), on the snap elections in Turkey
14 June 2018
On June 24, more than 59 million voters will go to the polls in snap parliamentary and presidential elections called by the Turkish government.
Turkish sympathizing group of the ICFI adopts new name
By the Socialist Equality Group (Turkey), 8 June 2018
Toplumsal Esitlik (TE–the Social Equality Group) has changed its name to Sosyalist Esitlik (SE–Socialist Equality Group).
Turkey’s petty-bourgeois left lines up behind bourgeois pro-NATO opposition
By Halil Celik, 26 May 2018
Turkish pseudo-left parties and organisations are lining up behind the pro-NATO and pro-EU bourgeois opposition parties in the upcoming election.
Statement of the Turkish supporters of the ICFI on the Israeli massacre of Palestinians in Gaza
By Toplumsal Eşitlik, 19 May 2018
The Toplumsal Eşitlik (Social Equality) group condemns the massacre carried out by Israeli troops, as well as the cynical attempts of the Turkish government to pose as defenders of the Palestinian people.
US withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal drives Ankara into a corner
By Halil Celik, 14 May 2018
Washington’s reimposition of punishing economic sanctions on Iran, and its plans to force other countries to follow suit, threatens to roil the already crisis-ridden Turkish economy.
Turkish government calls snap election for June 24
By Halil Celik, 21 April 2018
Amid a deepening economic crisis, the Erdogan government has decided to hold parliamentary and presidential elections 17 months ahead of schedule.
Turkish, Russian and Iranian presidents meet in Ankara
By Halil Celik, 10 April 2018
The presidents of Turkey, Russia and Iran came together in Ankara April 4 to discuss developments in Syria as well as the relations between the three countries.
Stop the prosecution of left-wing anti-war students in Turkey
Statement of Toplumsal Esitlik—the ICFI’s Turkish supporters, 28 March 2018
The crackdown against Bogazici University students is part of broader repression against the workers and youth by President Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party.
Turkey’s seizure of Afrin and the growing threat of a regional war in the Middle East
By Halil Celik, 21 March 2018
While drifting away from its NATO partners, Ankara has forged closer relations, including both trade and military ties, with Russia and Iran, two main targets of US imperialism.
Trade disputes further erode Turkish-US-relations
By Halil Celik, 12 March 2018
New US tariffs threaten the economy of Turkey, whose steel exports to the US were worth $1.2 billion last year, while aluminum exports reached $78.5 million.
Turkish government escalates crackdown on opposition as toll of Afrin invasion mounts
By Halil Celik, 9 March 2018
More than 200 Turkish journalists are behind bars, while another 2,500 have lost their jobs following a media purge by the Erdogan government.
Tensions over Syria further undermine Turkish-NATO relations
By Halil Celik, 28 February 2018
Turkish government officials insist that the UN’s ceasefire resolution does not apply to Ankara’s invasion of the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin, which they claim is directed against “terrorists”.
Syrian government offensive prompts calls for intensified US military intervention
By Jordan Shilton, 22 February 2018
US media outlets have seized on the escalation of violence to call for the expansion of Washington’s illegal military intervention.
Syrian conflict further escalates as pro-Syrian forces enter Afrin
By Halil Celik, 22 February 2018
The multi-sided conflict in Syria is becoming increasingly complex and entangled, with Turkish, Syrian Kurdish and Syrian forces now facing each other in the same small area.
Tillerson declares US-Turkey relations in “crisis”
By Jordan Shilton and Halil Celik, 17 February 2018
The announcement of a joint initiative to manage conflicting interests in Syria could not conceal the deep rift between the two NATO allies.
Russians reported killed in US strikes in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 10 February 2018
The reports of Russian casualties came as Turkey resumed its own air strikes against the Kurdish enclave of Afrin.
US threat to escalate Syria war over alleged gas attacks
By Bill Van Auken, 7 February 2018
Washington’s threat to retaliate over alleged use of chemical weapons comes amid a steady widening of the multi-sided war in Syria.
Turkish employers grant pay raises in hopes of appeasing metalworkers
By Halil Celik, 2 February 2018
With social tensions growing along with opposition to the Turkish invasion of Syria, the employers association granted a 24.6 percent wage increase to 130,000 metalworkers.
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