The Revolutionary Youth Coalitions (RYC) plan to call on the ruling military council to step down at a mass protest planned in Tahrir Square on September 9 in an effort to show their frustration on the difficult road toward a "new Egypt."  The RYC plans to pressure the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in an effort to decease the number of civilians of being tried in military courts.  Additionally, ...

Syria's opposition is participating in a two day meeting in a hotel in Istanbul to launch a "national council" in an effort to enhance their fight against President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Participants included opposition from inside and outside Syria, who planned to set up working groups to draft "measures aimed at ousting Assad."  The council's objective is to "make the voice of the Syrian revolution and its demands heard by the ...

Writing in Foreign Policy, Josh Rogin speculates on why, despite indications last week that President Barack Obama would to call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, Obama has failed to do so. Rather, the U.S. administration is now arguing that a firm call from the U.S. for Assad to leave would make little difference. Providing analysis from various scholars and drawing on information from officials, Rogin demonstrates how ...

The PKK launched an attack on Turkish soldiers, resulting in the death of at least eight people. The soldiers were traveling in a convoy when a series of explosions hit their vehicle in the southeastern province of Hakkiri. One soldier died immediately, while another seven died of sustained injuries in the hours following the blasts. There were an additional 11 soldiers and personnel injured in the ambush. It is also ...

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been a source of contention within Turkey's borders for years, and now members may face the most imminent opposition in the days following the end of Ramadan, Today's Zaman reports. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has alluded to stepping up defense tactics to subdue PKK terrorist activity, and has allegedly planned to advance onto their northern Iraqi base. "Everything will be different after Ramadan," ...

Author and member of Turkish parliament Suat Kiniklioglu questions the role Turkey has had in quelling the ongoing violence transpiring in Syria. He asserts that it is Turkey's responsibility to take the lead in peacefully convincing President Bashar al-Assad to cease slaughtering his own people. Kiniklioglu says that there are a few routes that Turkey could take to coerce Damascus to listen to international demands; one option Turkey has is to threaten ...

In an article written for the Washington Institute, Soner Cagaptay discusses the comparisons between reformer Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, noting the transition from the Kemalist ideology to Erdogan's conservative Islamism. Ataturk molded the country to include more 'Westernized' ideas and practices, including the separation of religion in state and public politics. However, last month's mass resignation of top Turkish military officials signified an end of the last ...

According to Turkish officials, Turkey may cooperate with the international community should there be a military intervention in Syria.  This was reported by officials after Turkish President Abdullah Gul gave President Bashar al-Assad an ultimatum through Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. On Saturday, Syrian tanks, security agents and pro-regime gunmen attacked protesters in two towns and killed at least three people.  About 20 tanks and armored personnel carriers entered the city ...

Al-Jazeera reports that Syrian security forces fired upon and killed at least 10-16 protesters in the regions around Deir az-Zor, Idlib and Deraa after Friday prayers. The crackdown came a day after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton encouraged nations around the world to increase pressure on the Syrian regime and President Bashar al-Assad. Two additional protesters were gunned down in the city of Hama, Reuters reports. Independent media coverage has been completely banned by Syrian ...

Josh Rogin of Foreign Policy writes that Congress is starting to warm to the idea of confirming the U.S. ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford to Damascus despite the fact that some on Capitol Hill are still against the confirmation of having a U.S. ambassador to Syria.  Some on Capitol Hill are reluctant to confirm Ford since many other countries are withdrawing their envoys as a means to protest against President Bashar ...

Despite the growing international condemnation of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Assad "remains defiant" and said that he "will not relent in pursuing 'terrorist groups' in the country." Assad released this statement after speaking with Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu.  Additionally, security forces continued cracking down against protesters and killed nearly 30 more people despite Turkey's demands for violence to end.    

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace released a report entitled, "The Turkish Constitution and the Kurdish Question," a publication that delineates the demands of Kurdish people in regards to rewriting a new Turkish constitution. The previous constitution was approved in 1982 as a result of a military junta. Drafting a new constitution in an attempt to quell grievances is just the first step, however, and the Kurds outline three main demands they'd like ...

Today, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in an attempt to deliver a strong and direct message: stop the brutal crackdowns on the Syrian people or face major repercussions and intensified pressure. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also asked the FM to deliver the message that Turkey has "run out of patience" with the bloodshed, and that the matter is quickly becoming an "internal problem". Davutoglu met Assad and ...

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is regarded as the "the strongest man in Turkey" by Reuters in a recent report. This is a title that has stemmed from a variety of sources including rapid economic growth, massive job creation, and a pool of voters that essentially " him shape what kind of democracy" Turkey becomes. His Justice and Development Party (AKP) won their third election with over 50% of the ...

Turkey is sending Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to Damascus tomorrow to inform Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of "a decisive message". According to the Guardian, "Turkish alarm, bordering on anger, is humanitarian and strategic in nature." Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has officially condemned Syria's continued manslaughter and has referred to the regime's "savagery" in weekend rhetoric. Additionally, Turkey's concern over PKK fighters residing in the southern portions of the country has ...

Last week Turkey's military endured a change-up when four top military officials resigned from their posts, leaving Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul to elect and confirm new leaders in their place. Erdogan received very little scrutiny from the general population, but attention has been called to the alleged coup that took place in 2003 leading to the continual detainment of military officials. Some are happy to see ...