Is Turkey moving East or leaning West? The country lies between traditionally Christian Europe and predominantly Muslim Middle East. Recently, it has been in the headlines due to its growing Islamic movement, its limbo status at the gates of the European Union and its increasingly strained relations with historical ally Israel.
Worldfocus explores the evolution of modern Turkish identity, which has experienced a tug of war between traditional religion and modern democracy. The values of moderate Islamists are challenging the country's secular nationalists. Critics have labeled the democratically-elected ruling party fundamentalist.
We examine how the country has struggled to carve out a place for historical minorities, including Kurds, Armenians and Greeks. We also follow female athletes who are pioneering places in the traditionally male-dominated sports of soccer and weightlifting.
"Turkey Between East and West" is a collection of signature videos, Q&As, an online radio show, reporter observations and blogger perspectives.
Turkey outraged by House resolution on Armenian ‘genocide’
By a margin of one vote, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a non-binding resolution calling the World War I-era killing of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks a "genocide." The fallout continues between the U.S. and Turkey, one of America's key allies. Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Bulent Aliriza, and Tarek Bazley reports for Al Jazeera English.
The Turkish military under the ‘sledgehammer’
Worldfocus producer Gizem Yarbil, who grew up in Turkey, shares her opinion about the recent detention of several high-profile Turkish military commanders. She argues it raises troubling questions about the role of the military in Turkey.
Examining the motives behind traditional honor killings
In Turkey, there is an average of about one honor killing per week. To understand more about this troubling issue, Daljit Dhaliwal speaks with Gönül Tol, director of the Center for Turkish Studies at the Middle East Institute, about what she says is a growing trend in Turkey.
Turkish women fight against honor killings
Gizem Yarbil is an associate producer at Worldfocus who grew up in Turkey. She argues that Turkish immigrants may cling even more strongly to their customs-- including honor killings-- when faced with the difficulties of life in the West.
Turkey frees man who attempted to kill pope John Paul II
Mehmet Ali Agca was released from a prison on the outskirts of Ankara and taken away in a motorcade. In 1983, two years after his incarceration, the pontiff visited Agca and forgave him for the shooting. Yet, authorities are still unsure what motivated the assassination attempt. Agca is said to be mentally unstable and even told reporters today that he is a messenger of God.
Kurdish activists and politicians detained in Turkey
Worldfocus producer Gizem Yarbil writes about the recent detention of Kurdish human rights activists and politicians in southeast Turkey. Yarbil argues that the arrests threaten a fragile reconciliation process.
Turkey’s Kurds seek justice for unsolved murders
Correspondent Gizem Yarbil and producer Bryan Myers recently traveled to the Kurdish enclave of Diyarbakir in eastern Turkey for a closer look at the allegations that the Turkish government had engaged in a so-called "dirty war" against the Kurds.
Ruling threatens reconciliation between Turks and Kurds
Worldfocus producer Gizem Yarbil, who grew up in Turkey, writes about the experience of reporting from the Kurdish areas of that country. A recent court ruling has reignited clashes between the Kurdish minority and Turkish authorities, and the issue remains a polarizing one in Turkey.
Gay refugees flee persecution but remain at risk
Worldfocus producer Gizem Yarbil interviews Neil Grungras of ORAM, a not-for-profit organization providing legal assistance for refugees fleeing sexual or gender based violence. He describes the difficulties faced by gay, lesbian and transgender refugees who often flee persecution only to find continuing harassment while in transit.
Worldfocus Radio: Turkey torn between East and West
Martin Savidge hosts Gareth Jenkins and Mustafa Akyol to discuss whether Turkey is leaning West or moving East. They discuss the country's growing Islamicization, strained relations with Israel and the limbo of European Union admission.
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