EGF Turkey File, 1 February — 15 February 2013

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics

1 February — 15 February 2013

By John VanPool, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst

Key Points:

• Domestic politics heat up as the opposition CHP accuses Prime Minister Erdogan of authoritarianism in seeking the presidency after his term as prime minister is up.
• A judicial reform aimed at clarifying aspects of Turkish terrorism laws aims to placate EU critics and could lead to the release of hundreds of imprisoned activists.
• Turkey continues to try to avoid a direct military intervention into Syria"s civil war, though fears of the sectarian conflict"s spread has the country on edge.
• U.S. sanctions aimed at Iran"s nuclear program necessitate Turkish efforts at diversifying its energy reliance away from Tehran.
• Israel makes overtures to Ankara regarding a natural gas pipeline in the eastern Mediterranean.
• ….while construction is set to begin on the TANAP gas pipeline following ratification of the agreement by both Turkish and Azerbaijani parliaments.