Terrorism in Turkey: Post #3

Terrorism in Turkey

The country of Turkey is not only situated in the ancient domain of the Fertile Crescent, but it is also located in the center of modern terrorism. Neighbored by Syria, Iraq, and Iran, Turkey’s proximity to these hotbeds of terrorist activity and international conflict make it unavoidable to discuss both terrorism and the country of Turkey together.

Though it has not been involved in as many wars in recent years as its neighbors or other nearby nations in the Middle East, it still has dealt with the consequences of terrorism within their nation as well as having to deal with the fallout from its neighbors, particularly in recent years in receiving refugees from the ongoing civil war in Syria.

                         

     

Figure 1. Map displaying dangerous areas in Turkey.

Within Turkey’s own borders, the primary cause of geopolitical tension and violence has been conflict with the Kurds, an ethnic group without a country, and a considerable percentage of Turkey’s population who are united by the Kurdish language and the Islamic religion. Unfortunately, in their shared hope to establish a nation of their own, their efforts at unity have in the past thirty years increasingly ended in violence due to Kurdish militants and extremists.[1] The most controversial of these groups is the Worker’s Party of Kurdistan or the PKK, which was launched in 1984.[2] Regarded as rebels by their more peaceful Kurdish counterparts, they are mainly found along the Turkey-Iraq border, and their number consists of more than 10,000 guerrillas, supplied with arms and weapons left over from the Gulf War.[3]

Figure 2. Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) Soldiers in Turkey

One of the greatest threats to Turkey’s hope for democracy doesn’t come from within its own borders, but from outside of them. Since Syria erupted into civil war in 2011, more than two million Syrians have subsequently fled their homeland. Turkey has been a popular choice for the refugees, due to their proximity and relatively stable environment. Unfortunately, the displaced refugees have increasingly drained Turkey’s economy, as well as the patience of smaller Turkish political groups, particularly the PKK, which has subsequently erupted into violence along the Turkey-Syria border. Despite support from the majority of the Kurdish population within Turkey and the Islamic state, [4] as long as refugees pour into Turkey, there will continue to be dramatic protests and riots against their entering the country.

Works Cited

Ahmad, Feroz. The Making of Modern Turkey. London: Routledge, 1993. 200. Print.

Pope, Nicole, and Hugh Pope. Turkey Unveiled: A History of Modern Turkey. Woodstock, N.Y.: Overlook, 1998. 238. Print.

Starr, Stephen. "The Renewed Threat of Terrorism to Turkey | Combating Terrorism Center at West Point." Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. 25 June 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. <https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-renewed-threat-of-terrorism-to-turkey>.

Tharoor, Ishaan. "The Worst Refugee Exodus of the Syrian War Is Happening Right Now." Washington Post. 22 Sept. 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.

Figures

Figure 1. Map of Turkey. Illustration. www.gov.uk. Web. 18 September 2014.

Figure 2. Image of PKK soldiers. Photograph. Krmagazine.com. Web. 16 July 2014.

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[1] Starr, Stephen. "The Renewed Threat of Terrorism to Turkey | Combating Terrorism Center at West Point." Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. 25 June 2013.

[2] Ahmad, Feroz. The Making of Modern Turkey. London: Routledge, 1993. 200.

[3] Pope, Nicole, and Hugh Pope. Turkey Unveiled: A History of Modern Turkey. Woodstock, N.Y.: Overlook, 1998. 238.

[4] Tharoor, Ishaan. "The Worst Refugee Exodus of the Syrian War Is Happening Right Now." Washington Post. 22 Sept. 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.

Turkey and Its Urban Settlements: Post #2

Turkey and It's Urban Settlements

     Geographers have always taken a special interest in cities. They are seen as “...the fast-paced centers of deep and widespread economic, political, and cultural change” [1]. Most often, urban settlements are defined by a large population living in a small area. This is exemplified by Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. In fact, it currently ranks as the city with the fifth largest population in the world. Location is a huge factor in why a city is formed, and Istanbul has one of the best. The city is located between three bodies of water: the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus. This provides protection from invaders as well as giving Turkey a trading hub capable of reaching Europe, Asia, and even parts of Africa.

Figure 1: A map showing the major cities of Turkey.

     Another marker for an urban settlement is cultural exchange. In an area with so many people, it is hard not to trade foods, clothing, ideas, and beliefs. In the capital city Ankara, over 90% of its inhabitants identify as Muslim, but there has been a steady increase in religious minorities over the years. Culturally diverse foods can be found throughout the city. One street will have a locally owned Turkish restaurant, the next will have a McDonalds. The cultural exchange is not limited to Ankara either. Turkey is a great destination for tourists, bringing in new ideas from all over the world. Turkey also has a thriving film industry. In fact, three James Bond movies were filmed on location in Istanbul. Also, with baklava and Turkish textiles being exported at unprecedented numbers, it's prudent to note the exchange of culture goes both ways with Turkey.

The Grand Bazaar is a popular attraction for tourists and is a great place for cultural exchange.

     Turkey is a beautiful country with several thriving urban areas. These cities have great physical locations, as well as deep connections to the surrounding areas. Goods and culture are exchanged in equal measure. These factors make Turkey a wonderful country to study if one wishes to learn more about urban geography.

Works Cited

Howard, Douglas A. The HIstory of Turkey. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 2001. Print.

"Wonderful Istanbul - Istanbul From a Birds Eye View" Wonderful Istanbul - Istanbul From a Birds Eye View. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=294>.

Figures

Figure 1: A map showing the major cities of Turkey. Illustration. http://4photos.net/blog/amazing-photo-of-turkey-city/, August 6, 2012

Figure 2: The Grand Bazaar is a popular attraction for tourists and is a great place for cultural exchange.  Photograph. http://www.touropia.com/, September 19, 2014

[1] Rowntree, Lester. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008.

[2] Benmayor, Gila. "Hurriyet Daily News | Archive News Detail."Hurriyet Daily News | Archive News Detail. 2 July 2010. Web. 15 Sept. 2014.

Globalization in Turkey: Post #1

Globalization in Turkey

In general, many agree that globalization has many merits and benefits, both short-term and long-term. As a result of capitalism and free-market economies, globalization can distribute wealth more evenly among classes whose disparities in income and quality of life are so much more marked in countries that we think of as less developed or less capitalistic. Proponents of globalization also argue that it leads to widespread modernization in both urban and more rural areas and leads to more trade and growth in technology within the countries that are affected by it.

Turkey is situated between Europe and Asia. 

During the 1980s’s in Turkey, a set of principles called the “Washington Consensus” was introduced in Turkey for the purpose of development.[1] This helped decrease Turkey’s dependence on borrowing from Germany, thought it did lead to an economic crisis by 1994. Overall, trade liberalization and freedom within Turkish economic policies has been undoubtedly beneficial to the country of Turkey.

Turkish business bought out by TNC’s (trans-national corporation) results in a loss of Turkish culture in local business. The family owned businesses over generations began to favor a corporate model, this allowed larger international corporations to buy the family owned business around 1980, and this trend is continuing into current day turkey. Even the state owned businesses have been bought out by corporations like Shell. But a few Turkish cities, like Bazaar, are trying to keep the local markets and family business alive.

Open air markets are a precious part of Turkish culture. 

Works Cited

Gazi, Ercel. "Globalization and the Turkish Economy." Www.vanderbilt.edu. November 1, 2006. Accessed September 9, 2014. http://www.vanderbilt.edu/econ/conference/gped-conference-06/papers/ercel.pdf.

Timucin, Yalcinkaya. "Is Turkish Capitalism Consistent with Capitalist Globalization?" Http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8kby2fflwrvv1.pdf.

Figures

Figure 1: Turkey is situated between Europe and Asia. Illustration. http://www.marineinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Black-Sea-map.gif, August 29, 2011.

Figure 2: Open air markets are a precious part of Turkish culture. Photograph. http://britto9192.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/turkey-3-102.jpg?w=500&h=333, September 7, 2008.

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[1] Gazi, Ercel. "Globalization and the Turkish Economy." Page 4.