EGF Turkey File, 1 November — 15 November 2012

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics

1 November — 15 November 2012

By John VanPool, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst

Key Points:

• Hostilities erupt between Kurdish fighters and the FSA in Syria, with some Kurdish groups siding with the opposition forces.
• Prime Minister Erdogan condemns Israel in the latest round of fighting between the Jewish state and Hamas controlled Gaza.
• A month long hunger strike by Kurdish prisoners in Turkey is close to being called off as the PKK and the government hold talks.
• The AKP pushes through a draft law designating new municipalities, although the opposition claims they have gerrymandered for an advantage in upcoming elections.
• The government gives the go-ahead to sell electricity to Syria despite the current impasse with Damascus.
• Turkey threatens ENI over its Cyprus exploration bid, while Tehran and Ankara renegotiate ahead of the cessation of the "take or pay" natural gas contracts.