EGF Turkey File, 1 November — 15 November 2013

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics

1 November — 15 November 2013

By John VanPool, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst

Key Points:

• The Prime Minister's list of concerns grows as he rounds on cohabitation between male and female students in both state-run dormitories and private residences.
• It is a bizarre, if understandable issue to focus on, with the conservative Erdogan likely playing to social issues to stir up his base ahead of election season.
• A second theory behind Erdogan's sudden concern for students' lifestyles may be due to an ongoing split with the Gulen movement given its ownership of private schools and dormitories.
• Turkey and the Kurdish Regional Government of Iraq agree to a pipeline deal, but all may not be lost for Baghdad as practical concerns necessitate cooperation for all parties.