Turkey
Turkey adopts inadequate restriction policies as COVID-19 surges
By Ulaş Ateşçi, 19 November 2020
The Turkish government is committing to a “herd immunity” policy in the interests of the ruling class, regardless of how many lives are lost.
Turkish finance minister resigns amid a deepening crisis
By Barış Demir, 14 November 2020
The Turkish government and economy are drifting towards a deepening crisis amid a raging COVID-19 pandemic.
Russia, Turkey negotiate cease-fire in Armenian-Azeri war over Karabakh
By Alex Lantier, 12 November 2020
Perhaps the greatest element of uncertainty in this still-unresolved conflict is the danger of new US wars in the region as Trump attempts a coup in Washington.
Turkish government rejects lockdown as pandemic spirals out of control
By Barış Demir, 4 November 2020
President Erdoğan’s government insists on continuing its back-to-work, back-to-school policy as thousands fall ill and deaths mount.
Ukraine, Turkey deepen military alliance in Black Sea region
By Jason Melanovski, 3 November 2020
The systematic NATO encirclement of Russia has turned seemingly isolated conflicts in the region into dangerous flashpoints that threaten to spark a major war involving the US, nuclear-armed Russia and countries such as Turkey.
Death toll rises to 87 after earthquake in Aegean Sea
By Ozan Özgür, 3 November 2020
The death toll has risen to 87 after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake near the Greek island of Samos in the Aegean Sea hit both Turkey and Greece.
Casualties mount in Armenian-Azeri war as US-brokered ceasefire collapses
By Alex Lantier, 30 October 2020
The danger is growing that the war between the two former Soviet republics in the Caucasus could escalate into a war involving Russia, Iran, and the NATO powers.
The World Socialist Web Site, the fight against imperialism and for socialism in the Middle East
By Ulaş Ateşçi, 29 October 2020
The remarks below were delivered by Ulaş Ateşçi, a leading member of Sosyalist Eşitlik Grubu in Turkey.
France recalls ambassador to Turkey over Turkish criticisms of law on Islam
By Alex Lantier, 26 October 2020
The recalling of an ambassador is the most serious gesture taken between states short of a complete breakdown of diplomatic relations and war.
Workers’ struggles grow as Turkish government pursues “herd immunity” policy
By Ulaş Ateşçi, 21 October 2020
This homicidal policy is provoking growing anger and opposition within the working class to the ruling class’ response to the pandemic.
COVID-19 pandemic surges in Turkey as government continues to hide data
By Barış Demir and Ulaş Ateşçi, 19 October 2020
The government is allowing the virus to spread, citing false data to refuse any demands for lock-downs and suppress growing anger and concern within the working class.
Danger of Russian-Turkish conflict grows as Armenian-Azeri ceasefire fails
By Alex Lantier, 19 October 2020
Casualties are rapidly mounting as heavy artillery and precision missile strikes rain down on civilian and military targets in both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Turkey backs Azeri offensive on Armenia as Russia, Iran warn of escalation
By Alex Lantier, 8 October 2020
The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan threatens to escalate into a regional war involving Russia, Iran, Turkey and the entire NATO alliance.
“The unions were like ghosts throughout the pandemic”
Istanbul municipal workers speak out against trade unions, herd immunity policy
By our correspondents, 2 October 2020
WSWS reporters recently spoke with workers from several municipalities of the greater Istanbul area on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Armenian-Azeri war threatens to trigger Russia-Turkey clash
By Ulaş Ateşçi, 30 September 2020
Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan in South Caucasus continued a third day after conflicts erupted over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Renewed mass arrests target Kurdish-nationalist HDP in Turkey
By Ulaş Ateşçi, 26 September 2020
There is growing speculation that the Turkish government is preparing a renewed military offensive against US-backed Kurdish-nationalist forces in Syria.
Form independent rank-and-file safety committees to oppose the deadly reopening of schools!
By the Sosyalist Eşitlik, 23 September 2020
The Turkish government is overseeing the resumption of in-person teaching amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with the support of bourgeois opposition parties and trade unions.
Greece buys billions in French arms amid war tensions with Turkey
By Alex Lantier, 14 September 2020
The purchase of a squadron of fighter jets and four warships marks a major escalation in the military standoff between Greece, backed by France, and Turkey.
No to a Greek-Turkish war in the eastern Mediterranean!
International Committee of the Fourth International, 12 September 2020
Amid the escalation of threats and naval maneuvers between Turkey and Greece, backed by France, Europe and the Middle East are teetering on the brink of war.
Turkish government prepares to reopen schools as pandemic escalates
By Barış Demir, 11 September 2020
Under deadly conditions, the government plans to reopen schools across Turkey on September 21, backed by official opposition parties and allied trade unions.
Saudi regime declares Khashoggi assassination case “closed forever” after sham verdict
By Bill Van Auken, 9 September 2020
After a closed trial, the Saudi court announced its sentencing of eight unnamed individuals to prison terms, while none of those who ordered the grisly murder were held accountable.
German court sentences members of leftist Turkish party to prison
By Justus Leicht, 4 September 2020
The verdict sends the message that anyone who is left-wing and/or opposes a regime allied with Germany can be imprisoned for years.
Socialist Equality Group in Turkey condemns attack against TİP deputy after threats from interior minister
By Sosyalist Eşitlik, 3 September 2020
Sosyalist Eşitlik unequivocally condemns the attack on Barış Atay, who was physically assaulted by a mob in İstanbul after Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu threatened him on social media.
Greek-Turkish standoff escalates war danger in eastern Mediterranean
By Alex Lantier, 2 September 2020
Top officials of NATO member states are openly discussing going to war with one another, in conflicts that could set the Mediterranean and the world ablaze.
Workers anger grows as Turkish government downplays COVID-19 crisis
By Barış Demir and Çetin Akın, 27 August 2020
Growing opposition, sit-ins and strikes among workers against the Turkish government’s and companies’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic are emerging.
France holds joint military exercises with Greece, threatening Turkey
By Ulaş Ateşçi and Alex Lantier, 14 August 2020
Mounting tensions between NATO powers threaten to blow up the alliance as the pandemic intensifies pre-existing conflicts over oil and strategic advantage.
As COVID-19 surges, infected Turkish workers forced back to work
By Barış Demir, 5 August 2020
The coronavirus is again spreading unrestrainedly in Turkey due to the criminal back-to-work policies of the ruling class.
Greek, Turkish warships nearly clash in Aegean over Mediterranean gas fields
By Alex Lantier, 24 July 2020
Conflicts unleashed by decades of imperialist war in the Middle East and the Mediterranean are now threatening to blow up the NATO alliance.
Sosyalist Eşitlik condemns threats against Şiar Rişvanoğlu
By Sosyalist Eşitlik, 24 July 2020
This attack is part of a drive by Turkish state and paramilitary forces to intimidate all expressions of opposition.
Armenia-Azerbaijan border clashes threaten broader war in Caucasus
By Ulas Atesci, 18 July 2020
The fighting threatens to escalate into a direct clash between the two Caucasian republics’ main allies, Russia and Turkey.
Erdoğan’s conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque and the danger of war
By Ulaş Ateşci and Alex Lantier, 15 July 2020
The stoking of religious and national tensions by major governments accelerates the drive to war across the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Dozens of immigrants drown in eastern Turkey’s Lake Van
By Barış Demir, 7 July 2020
Migrants traveling from Central Asian war zones are reportedly forced to travel by boat over Lake Van to bypass police checkpoints on land.
Scientist warns Istanbul earthquake could kill hundreds of thousands
By Ozan Özgür, 7 July 2020
Earthquake experts internationally agree that an earthquake of at least magnitude-7 is likely in the next 10 years in Istanbul.
Back-to-work policy accelerates spread of COVID-19 in Turkey
By Çetin Akın, 27 June 2020
The number of daily cases, which fell to 786 on June 2, the lowest level since the outbreak began, is again at 1,500.
Pandemic intensifies unemployment and poverty among Turkish workers
By Ozan Özgür, 24 June 2020
Millions of workers are losing their jobs, left unable to meet basic needs as billions go to cheap loans in the interests of the ruling class in Turkey.
Turkish army launches ground attacks into Iraqi Kurdistan to target PKK
By Ulaş Ateşci, 19 June 2020
Amid growing international conflicts over Libya, the eastern Mediterranean and Syria, Turkey has invaded northern Iraq to attack Kurdish-nationalist militias.
Risking COVID-19 spread, the state makes Turkish students take mass exams
By Çetin Akın, 19 June 2020
The Turkish government is risking millions of students’ health and life by forcing them to congregate for mass high school and university entrance exams.
Libyan civil war intensifies amid growing international negotiations
By Hasan Yıldırım, 12 June 2020
The domestic and international parties of the civil war in Libya have recently intensified talks as Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli advanced on the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.
Turkish government arrests opposition and Kurdish deputies
By Ulas Atesci, 8 June 2020
Increasingly unpopular, due to the botched official response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government is lashing out at bourgeois opposition parties.
Turkish Trotskyists call for independent working-class action against the pandemic
By Sosyalist Eşitlik (in solidarity with the International Committee of the Fourth International), 5 June 2020
Sosyalist Eşitlik opposes the reckless back-to-work campaign and the reopening of non-essential workplaces and schools as the pandemic continues to spread.
COVID-19 spreads among Ford workers in Turkey
By Ulas Atesci, 20 May 2020
Unsafe and even deadly conditions during the pandemic are an international issue facing workers of every country.
Turkish government steps up attack on Kurdish HDP amid COVID-19 pandemic
By Barış Demir, 19 May 2020
The dismissal of five Kurdish-nationalist mayors comes amid growing military tensions in the region and growing social anger at the government’s failure to handle COVID-19.
Herd immunity policy in Turkey risks thousands of new deaths
By Ulaş Ateşci, 16 May 2020
The government is launching a “normalization” policy forcing employees back to work over opposition from medical experts.
Erdogan opposes lockdown as Turkey’s COVID-19 pandemic overtakes China
By Ulas Atesci, 22 April 2020
Overtaking China and Iran in terms of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, at 90,000, Turkey has emerged as the country in Asia with the most cases.
Turkey’s COVID-19 prison amnesty excludes political prisoners, journalists
By Baris Demir, 14 April 2020
Turkey has one of the world’s fastest-spreading coronavirus epidemics, with over 52,000 cases and 1,100 deaths since the first case was diagnosed on March 10.
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, Turkish government steps up attacks on workers
By Ulas Atesci, 11 April 2020
President Erdoğan has made clear that his priority is maintaining production, exports and high profits, despite a surge of COVID-19 cases in the factories.
Turkish workers strike as bosses keep them at work despite COVID-19
By Ulas Atesci, 4 April 2020
As of Friday night, Turkey had passed 20,000 cases and 400 deaths in the global coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus cases surge in Turkey as anger grows among workers at government response
By Baris Demir, 30 March 2020
Turkey’s death toll from the coronavirus increased by 23 to 131 yesterday, as the number of confirmed cases rose 1,815 to 9,217.
Mehring Yayıncılık publishes Turkish-language edition of The struggle against imperialism and for workers’ power in Iran
By Ulaş Ateşçi, 30 March 2020
First published by the WSWS in February 2018, The Struggle against Imperialism and for Workers’ Power in Iran—A Reply to a Proponent of “Iranian Islamic Socialism” advances a socialist strategy for the working class in a country that has been the target of US imperialist aggression for decades.
Preface to the Turkish edition of The struggle against imperialism and for workers’ power in Iran
By Keith Jones, 30 March 2020
A viable strategy to defeat imperialism can only be founded on the working class, and requires its independent political mobilization against all factions of the Iranian bourgeoisie.
Turkey’s coronavirus measures: billions for business, crumbs for workers
By Ulas Atesci, 21 March 2020
Before this program was announced, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Turkey was 97; it has now risen to 670.
Turkish IYSSE’s intervention at Istanbul student conference wins warm response
By our reporter, 21 March 2020
The IYSSE presented the perspective of the world Trotskyist movement to a congress of economics students in Istanbul earlier this month.
Coronavirus spreads to Turkey, risking a rapid outbreak
By Ulas Atesci, 16 March 2020
On Sunday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Turkey rose from six to 18, while at least 3,000 people are reportedly under quarantine.
Putin and Erdogan agree to new Idlib ceasefire at Moscow summit on Syria
By Jordan Shilton, 6 March 2020
Despite both sides’ efforts to smooth over the conflicts, the ceasefire does not resolve the broader NATO-Russia conflicts behind recent Turkish-Russian clashes in Syria.
Amid Syrian war, Turkey opens borders for Syrian refugees to travel to Europe
By Baris Demir, 4 March 2020
The persecution of asylum seekers in Turkey and Greece—which fight with each other over the flow of immigrants—is the product of the EU's brutal policies.
Stop the war on refugees at the Greek-Turkish border!
By Johannes Stern, 3 March 2020
The pictures seen around the world over recent days recall the darkest chapters of European history, and expose the true character of the European Union and all capitalist governments throughout the continent.
Idlib war escalates as Turkey announces military operations against Syria
By Ulas Atesci, 2 March 2020
Turkey shot down two Syrian jets after a Syrian air strike claimed the lives of 34 Turkish soldiers.
War tensions mount in wake of strike on Turkish troops in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 29 February 2020
Russia has sent two cruise missile warships to the Syrian coast as Moscow and Ankara continue to dispute the facts surrounding a strike that killed three dozen Turkish soldiers.
Turkey bombs Syria after losing dozens of troops to Syrian-Russian airstrike
By Alex Lantier, 28 February 2020
The danger is growing that all-out war could erupt between the NATO alliance and the Syrian government’s major international backers, Iran and Russia.
After acquittal in Gezi Park trial, Turkish state re-launches prosecution
By Barış Demir, 26 February 2020
The Gezi Park trial was a politically motivated legal vendetta, aimed at managing the Turkish state’s relations with the imperialist powers while intimidating and discrediting social opposition inside Turkey itself.
Control of offshore gas and oil provokes conflicts in eastern Mediterranean
By Jean Shaoul, 24 February 2020
A new “scramble for Africa” is being tied into a new “scramble” for the eastern Mediterranean, as Turkey, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus, Lebanon and the European powers compete over gas exploration, production licenses and pipelines.
Fighting mounts as Washington backs Turkish attack on Syria, Russia
By Alex Lantier, 21 February 2020
US-backed Turkish military operations targeting Syrian and Russian units in Syria could escalate into an all-out clash between Russia and the entire NATO alliance.
Washington backs Turkey as border clashes mount with Syria and Russia
By Ulaş Ateşci, 19 February 2020
Washington is encouraging Turkish army operations inside Syria, risking a direct clash between the NATO alliance and the Syrian government’s main allies, Russia and Iran.
Dozens killed in growing border clashes between Turkey and Syria
By Ulas Atesci, 4 February 2020
This fighting threatens to escalate into a direct confrontation between Turkey, a NATO member state, and the Syrian regime’s nuclear-armed ally, Russia.
War tensions mount between NATO powers over Libya, Mediterranean
By Alex Lantier, 31 January 2020
The Berlin conference has set the stage not for peace, but only for stepped-up imperialist interventions to divide up the profits to be extracted from Libya and the entire region.
Right wing whips up anti-refugee sentiment in Greek island protests
By John Vassilopoulos, 31 January 2020
Posters advertising the protests portrayed refugees as invaders and bore the slogan “We want our islands back… we want our life back!”
Death toll rises to 38 after earthquake in Elazığ in eastern Turkey
By Ulas Atesci, 27 January 2020
Though Turkey is an earthquake-prone country and the state collects billions in a so-called “earthquake tax,” none of the necessary security measures were taken.
Erdoğan and Putin open TurkStream pipeline after Iran strikes US bases in Iraq
By Ulaş Ateşci, 11 January 2020
The opening of this strategic pipeline comes amid escalating conflicts over energy in the region and an esclalating conflict between the United States and Iran.
US assassination of Suleimani staggers Turkish government
By Ulas Atesci, 7 January 2020
The Turkish government took 10 hours to react to this illegal act of war carried out by its decades-long NATO ally.
Wider war over Libya looms as France, Egypt denounce Turkish intervention
By Alex Lantier, 3 January 2020
Less than a decade after the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya, the resulting civil war in that country threatens to escalate into an all-out regional conflict involving the major powers.
Erdogan vows to send Turkish troops into Libya
By Bill Van Auken, 27 December 2019
The Turkish deployment in Libya will escalate increasing tensions involving Washington, Moscow and NATO.
Turkish government blocks care of Kurdish HDP’s jailed ex-leader Demirtaş
By Ulas Atesci, 10 December 2019
Ankara is broadly cracking down on Kurdish politicians, including Kurdish mayors elected this year, amid growing ethnic conflicts linked to the imperialist war in Syria.
Erdoğan-Trump meeting resolves none of US-Turkish conflicts
By Bill Van Auken, 15 November 2019
While Trump described the meeting as “wonderful,” there were no indications of any substantive agreements on Syria, Russian S-400s or any other issue.
Wildcat strike by sanitation workers against CHP administration in Maltepe, Turkey
By Ulas Atesci, 4 November 2019
Simultaneous with the Maltepe municipal workers’ strike, workers in other municipalities, including Üsküdar, Ataşehir, İstanbul, Aliağa, İzmir, Aydın, and elsewhere are protesting against austerity and layoffs.
Washington threatens to fight Syria and Russia for oil
By Bill Van Auken, 31 October 2019
The restatement of US objectives in seizing Syria’s oil fields came amid border clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops.
Mehring Yayıncılık publishes new ICFI books for İstanbul Book Fair
By Ulas Atesci, 29 October 2019
Mehring Books will participate in the Tüyap International İstanbul Book Fair of November 2-10, with a stand located in the fourth meeting hall.
Germany, US threaten war amid Russia-Turkey summit on Syria
By Alex Lantier, 23 October 2019
German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer called for a massive European Union (EU) force to occupy northern Syria, involving up to 40,000 troops.
Fighting continues in wake of US-Turkish agreement on northern Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 19 October 2019
The “ceasefire” deal has only intensified opposition within US ruling circles, where the withdrawal of US troops from Syria is seen as strengthening Russia’s hand in the Middle East.
US claims “ceasefire” deal in Turkey’s invasion of Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 18 October 2019
After US Vice President Pence and Turkish President Erdogan met Thursday, Turkish officials bragged that Ankara got everything it wanted.
Trump defends US pullback in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 17 October 2019
Amid mounting opposition from within Congress and the military, Trump defended his order to withdraw a small contingent of US special forces from northeastern Syria.
Syrian army, Iran threaten counterattack against Turkish invasion of Syria
By Alex Lantier, 14 October 2019
A large-scale Middle East war could strangle the world's oil supply and escalate into a war between nuclear-armed powers. The working class is coming face to face with the real possibility of a Third World War.
Oppose the Turkish military offensive in Syria!
the International Committee of the Fourth International, 14 October 2019
As Ankara seeks a militarist solution to ethnic and class conflicts inflamed by decades of imperialist interventions, the Middle East and the world are on the brink of all-out war.
New Anti-capitalist Party demands military escalation against Turkey in Syria
By Alex Lantier, 12 October 2019
The Pabloite NPA bitterly opposes a struggle to unify the working class internationally in a movement against imperialist war and the Middle Eastern bourgeoisie.
Crisis mounts over Turkish offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 11 October 2019
Trump’s green light for the Turkish invasion has prompted heated condemnations from his Republican allies as well as within the US military.
Turkey launches US-backed offensive targeting Kurdish forces in Syria
By Alex Lantier, 10 October 2019
Turkish air raids and artillery bombardments hit cities and military and civilian targets along approximately 100 kilometers of the Turkey-Syria border.
Washington green lights Turkish attack on Kurdish forces in Syria
By Alex Lantier and Ulaş Atesci, 8 October 2019
Trump abandoned to their fate Kurdish nationalist militias that have fought since 2015 as Washington’s main proxy force in the NATO war for regime change in Syria.
After the Turkish elections: How the pseudo-left rallied behind the CHP
Part III: The role of the Revolutionary Workers Party (DİP)
By Ulas Atesci and Alex Lantier, 4 October 2019
The 2019 municipal elections and re-run of the vote in İstanbul were a milestone in the integration of a whole layer of middle-class parties into the ruling establishment.
After the Turkish elections: How the pseudo-left rallied behind the CHP
Part II: The dead end of the petty-bourgeoisie’s orientation to the CHP
By Ulas Atesci and Alex Lantier, 3 October 2019
The 2019 municipal elections and their re-run in İstanbul were a milestone in the integration of a whole layer of middle-class parties into the ruling establishment.
After the Turkish elections: How the pseudo-left rallied behind the CHP
Part I: A political liquidation into the capitalist establishment
By Ulas Atesci and Alex Lantier, 2 October 2019
The 2019 municipal elections and re-run of the vote in İstanbul were a milestone in the integration of a whole layer of middle-class parties into the ruling establishment.
Introduction to the Turkish language edition of In Defense of Leon Trotsky
Leon Trotsky’s four fateful years in Prinkipo: 1929-1933
By David North, 23 September 2019
The following is the introduction to the recently translated Turkish edition of In Defense of Leon Trotsky, written by the book’s author, David North, chairman of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site. The book was originally published in 2013.
Russia and Turkey intensify military cooperation over US objections
By Ulas Atesci, 4 September 2019
Turkish purchases of Russian missiles and possibly fighter jets are fuelling tensions between Turkey and its imperialist allies in Washington and Europe.
Turkey removes HDP mayors amid impending military attack on Syria
By Ulas Atesci, 20 August 2019
The Turkish government removed mayors belonging to the Kurdish nationalist party as it plans a renewed attack on Kurdish YPG militias in Syria.
Amid Turkish war threats, Ankara and Washington to build “safe zone” in Syria
By Ulas Atesci, 8 August 2019
The Turkish government is seeking US approval to invade Syria and target Kurdish nationalist militias that serve as key US proxies in the Middle East.
Turkish government prepares to deport Syrian refugees living in Istanbul
By Çetin Akın and Ulas Atesci, 24 July 2019
Ankara has announced that Syrian refugees not registered in Istanbul have until August 20 to return to the cities in Turkey where they are registered or face deportation.
US, EU hail election of İstanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu
By Ulas Atesci, 4 July 2019
Whatever hopes workers and youth are encouraged to place in İmamoğlu and his political allies will be rapidly disappointed.
Turkish ruling elite whips up chauvinism against Syrian war refugees
By Barış Demir, 27 June 2019
Before the re-run of the Istanbul elections on Sunday, politicians from every major bourgeois party tried to whip up hostility against Syrian refugees in Turkey.
Turkey’s ruling AKP defeated in re-run of İstanbul mayoral election
By Ulas Atesci, 24 June 2019
The candidate of Erdoğan’s AKP, Binali Yıldırım, conceded the election Sunday night. The AKP forced the cancellation of the first election result on March 31 after suffering a narrow defeat.
As Washington threatens to punish Ankara over Russian S-400 missile purchase
US-Turkey conflict nears breaking point
By Ulas Atesci, 20 June 2019
Ankara’s S-400 purchase is a flashpoint for more significant and intractable geopolitical differences with Washington, including over the US war drive against Iran.
Istanbul public meeting calls for the defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By our correspondents, 30 May 2019
Leading members of Sosyalist Eşitlik and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality addressed the meeting, which adopted a resolution calling for the freedom of Assange and Manning.
Socialist Equality Group to hold public meeting in Turkey to demand freedom for Assange and Manning
By the Sosyalist Eşitlik, 22 May 2019
The meeting is part of the ICFI’s ongoing international campaign to defend Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
Follow the WSWS