July 23rd, 2008 by Adam

POMED Research Associate Alex Taurel and our Director of Research Shadi Hamid write an interesting article in the Christian Science Monitor about the implications for democracy in the Middle East if Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is shut down by the Constitutional Court. They assert that it would send a troubling message to Islamists in the region that no matter how much they moderate, they will not be accepted as legitimate political actors. According to the two authors, this would only bolster radical Islamists that see violence as the only avenue of political influence. Taurel and Hamid conclude by urging President Bush to denounce the closure case to send the message that the U.S. is willing to defend political actors in the Middle East that abide by democratic principles.

On a related note, remember that POMED is hosting a public panel discussion tomorrow (Thursday, July 24th) at 2pm  entitled “Turkey’s Political Crisis: Implications for the Middle East” in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2212. For more details, click here.

Posted in Articles, Events, Turkey |