Turkey
A Wine Renaissance
The 20th century saw a significant decline in Turkey’s ancient wine industry. Now a handful of winemakers, activists, researchers and educators are starting to uncover the country’s vast terroir — despite barriers imposed by Turkey’s conservative government. To break into the new, they are in large part rediscovering the old.
Canines of Istanbul
If proposed Turkish legislation passed, dogs would be collected, kept for 30 days and then killed (unless they are claimed). In practice, animal lovers fear that this would lead to the death of hundreds of thousands of street dogs. But intense public backlash may have the government walking back their plan.
The Politics of Turkey’s Coke Connection
Why has Turkey’s cocaine trade exploded, and what has led drug kingpins to take up residence in the country? There are several possible answers, and suspicions have been rising that corruption is playing a part.
‘A Round of Applause’ Finds the Funny Side of Despondency
Do we know what’s best for ourselves? Can we choose to lead meaningful lives? Is life worth living? A brilliant new Turkish Netflix show, “A Round of Applause,” tackles such existential questions with dark insight and biting humor, following the fate of its miserable protagonist right from the womb.
The Meaning of Erdogan’s Defeat in Istanbul
Imamoglu prides himself on having won every election he has contested against Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party. With four mayoral victories under his belt, he stands out as a potential challenger for the presidency in 2028.
A Last Gasp for the Peace Process in Turkey
While political repression and violent conflict have intensified since 2015, the 2023 general election and the departure of Selahattin Demirtas, the imprisoned leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, were a turning point. The retreat of Turkey’s Kurds from formal politics portends an intensification of the conflict in the months ahead.
Antakyans Fear Their City’s Soul Will Not Rise From the Rubble
Antakyans are still traumatized a year after a massive double earthquake. Their pain is intensified by anger at the government response and a feeling that they have been marginalized for their local identity and politics, as they fear for the future of their city’s unique culture.