Independent voices from the TWT Communities
The so-called Arab Spring hasn't brought about the intended changes many had hoped for. Instead of democracy, a greater voice and influence for the general populace and improved living conditions, there has often been economic stagnation and fragmentation of political power and sometimes control by political extremists or the military that has resulted in chaos, repression and indecision.
Rebellion has shaken Turkey since May 31. Is it comparable to the Arab upheavals that overthrew four rulers since 2011, to Iran's Green Movement of 2009 that led to an apparent reformer being elected president last week, or perhaps to Occupy Wall Street, which had negligible consequences?
Just as Turkey's government and police started to get a handle on widespread protests that have led to civil unrest, injuries and arrests, now come the trade unions.
The Spurs have long been the NBA's gold standard when it comes to drafting and development, preferring to roll up their sleeves and scour the globe to find the right players to slot into well-defined roles in San Antonio.
Turkish riot police fired tear gas and water cannons on Sunday at demonstrators trying to return to Istanbul's main square, maintaining a hard line against rekindled protests as the prime minister's supporters prepared to rally across town.
The Obama administration's decision to provide military support to the Syrian opposition is a timely one that will help create "a level playing field" in the war against Bashar Assad's regime, senior Turkish officials said on Friday.
Police will remove protesters from Istanbul's Taksim Square within the next 24 hours, said Turkey's prime minister on Thursday, in a blunt warning that marks the end of the government's patience with a weeks-long rally that's escalated into violence.
Turkey certainly has been a reliable ally of the United States for many decades. Compared with Egypt and other countries in the Middle East, its democracy is stable and its economy is growing. But celebrating Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Turkey as a model seems not quite right.
Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to meet with park protesters in the wake of a week of rallies that have turned violent, sending tear-gas-toting police to quell out-of-control crowds.
Hundreds of police donned riot gear Tuesday and stormed through barricades in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, to oust protesters who've occupied the property for a week.
U.S. fighter jets and Patriot missiles arrived in Jordan over the weekend, as the Obama administration this week considers "all possible options" in increasing its support to rebels in neighboring Syria, according to a White House spokeswoman.
Sen. Rand Paul suspects the U.S. was secretly running guns through the consulate in Benghazi to arm Syrian rebels. He wants answers related to the terrorist attack that killed four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.
In a series of increasingly belligerent speeches to cheering supporters Sunday, Turkey's prime minister demanded an end to the 10-day anti-government protests that have spread across the country, saying those who do not respect the government will pay.
Turkey's prime minister took a combative stance on his closely watched return to the country early Friday, telling supporters who thronged to greet him that the protests that have swept the country must come to an end.
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