news report issue 6

Protesters are standing up against the military rulers who officially

took over after Mubarak's ouster.

The Weekly Newspaper of Foreign Policy and International Relations Club

Volume 6, Issue 6

Russia to move missiles to EU borders if U.S. shield talks fail - Medvedev

Egypt battles show revolution's

unfinished business

THIS

WEEK

When Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

stepped down in February, tens of

thousands packed into Cairo's Tahrir Square to declare victory and a new

beginning. Nine months later, thousands

have returned to the same spot, calling for

something similar: the resignation of the

country's military leadership. The violence

once again gripping the Egyptian capital shows that the uprising the world watched

months ago was only a step on a long road,

analysts said Monday. "The revolution is

unfinished," said Samer Shehata, an Egypt

expert with Georgetown University. Robin Wright of the U.S. Institute of Peace said

Egypt's uprising is in "phase two" -- and

highlights a broad reality of the so-called

Arab Spring. " Continues on page 7

EUROPE 2

AMERICAS 3

ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

4-5

ASIA 6

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

7

OPINIONS 8-9

TURKEY 10

SOCIAL 11

EDITORIAL 12

Russia may deploy "advanced offensive weapon systems" on its borders with Europe in response to

a planned U.S.-backed European missile shield, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday.

Medvedev's comment came as he outlined a series of possi-

ble “appropriate measures” if missile defense talks between

Moscow and Washington result in failure. Moscow is seeking written, legal guarantees that the shield will not be directed

against it, but Washington has refused to put its verbal as-

surances in writing. In a live broadcast on national televi-

sion, Medvedev said the U.S. and NATO had failed to "take

our concerns about the European missile defense into ac-

count." If there was no progress on the issue, he went on, Russia would “deploy in the west and the south of the coun-

try advanced offensive weapon systems which will target the

European component of the missile defense network.”

Continues on page 6

29 November 2011

EUROPE

Portugal hit by general strike against austerity cuts

Spain’s conservatives earn resounding

election victory as voters oust Socialists British Foreign Secretary

William Hague met a range of Syrian opposition figures

on Monday, saying London

was "seeking to step up the

international pressure on

the Assad regime that has long since lost its

legitimacy in the eyes of the

wider world."

CNN/ November 21, 2011

The International Monetary

Fund (IMF) and the European Union have said

that they are considering a

request from Hungary for

"precautionary" financial

support.

Al-Jazeera/ November 22,

2011

Monti, Merkel and Sarkozy,

have their first meeting

since Mr. Monti took office.

They are likely to discuss Italy's economy and wider

eurozone issues in which

Germany and France

disagree about whether

bonds should be issued by

the whole of the eurozone instead of individual

countries.

BBC News/ November 24,

2011

Britain cut all financial ties Monday with Iran over concerns about Iran's nuclear program, the

first time it has ever cut an entire country's banking sector off from British finance, the British

Treasury announced.

In an election marked by bitter disappointment and desperation over

the eurozone’s highest unemployment rate, the Socialists who have led the

country since 2004 were cast from office in their worst showing in the mod-ern era of Spain’s democracy. Conservatives won 186 of the 350 seats in

parliament; the Socialists won 110. But the sharp swing was more a result

of millions of voters abandoning the Socialists for smaller parties, not con-

servatives picking up new voters, suggesting a country more dispirited with

the policies of the past than excited about the future. The leader of the con-

servatives, Mariano Rajoy, 56, will not take over for another month, but he is widely expected to announce his economic team and strategy in the com-

ing days. The Washington Post/ November 20, 2011

A 24-hour strike in Portugal against proposed austerity measures has

grounded flights and halted public transport.

Parliament will vote next week on a deficit reduc-tion plan being imposed as a result of an interna-tional bailout. The strike, supported by Portugal's two main labour unions, was thought to be among the biggest in Portugal's history, where mass in-dustrial action is rare. Secretary General of the CGTP union described the general strike as a "red card" for the government. Hospitals provided only emergency care, many schools were closed and public transport was severely disrupted. Rubbish collections and postal deliveries were also hit. Air-ports at Lisbon, Faro and Porto were largely de-serted. The strike passed off peacefully on the

whole, although three tax offices were attacked. The leader of the country's second main union, UGT, said he hoped the government would pay attention to the effects of the strike. But Parliamentary Affairs Minister insisted that the country had no

other choice but to adopt austerity measures. BBC News/ November 24, 2011

Spanish conservatives won a resounding mandate at the polls Sunday,

freeing them to make deep austerity cuts as they struggle to pull the

country’s economy out of a tailspin.

Britain cuts banking ties to Iran over nuclear

concerns

The move comes days after an International Atomic Energy Agency report high-

lighted new concerns about "the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear

program." the Treasury statement said Monday. The IAEA's governors approved

a resolution last week expressing "deep and increasing concern about the unre-

solved issues regarding the Iranian nuclear program. Iran insists its nuclear

program is peaceful and has called the U.N. watchdog's report "unbalanced" and "politically motivated." "The IAEA's report last week provided further credible

and detailed evidence about the possible military dimensions of the Iranian nu-

clear program," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement.

"Today we have responded resolutely by introducing a set of new sanctions that

prohibit all business with Iranian banks." CNN/ November 21, 2011

PAGE 2

"In multiple channels, we have explained to Russian officials that the missile de-

fense systems planned for deployment in Europe do not and cannot threaten Rus-

sia's strategic deterrent," said White House national security council spokesman

Tommy Vietor. He added "We will not in any way limit or change our deployment

plans in Europe." Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia would

ramp up its early-warning radar to protect its nuclear missile sites, deploy weap-

ons that could overcome a shield, and potentially target missile defense installa-

tions to its south and west. "We continue to believe that cooperation with Russia

on missile defense can enhance the security of the United States, our allies in

Europe, and Russia, and we will continue to work with Russia to define the pa-

rameters of possible cooperation." Vietor said in a statement. Reuters/ November

23, 2011

The British announced the first measures, declaring they

would cut off all financial ties with Iranian banks to stem

the flow of funds for its nuclear and ballistic missile pro-

grams. The coordinated actions among the United States

and its two close allies represent the first direct response to

the U.N. nuclear agency's recent report suggesting Iranian

work toward the development of atomic weapons. The re-

port's release has sparked frenzied international diplomacy

over how to halt the Iranian threat, with President Barack

Obama pressing the leaders of Russia and China little more

than a week ago to join the United States and its partners

in taking action. America's financial and energy sanctions will target Iranian

companies, U.S. officials said. Associated Press/ November 21, 2011

AMERICAS

US, Britain, Canada team up on new Iran sanctions

White House presses Egypt’s leaders to speed up reforms

The private messages to Egyptian leaders come amid new fears that the unrest is

undermining prospects for a peaceful transfer to democratic rule in the world’s

largest Arab country. White House is urging Egyptians to allow the elections to

proceed, while acknowledging that worsening violence could make voting impos-sible. The tone toughened somewhat Tuesday, with the State Department explic-

itly blaming Egypt’s military for the deaths in Cairo. On Wednesday, State De-

partment spokesman Mark C. Toner used similar phrasing in urging the military

rulers to show more restraint. “They did use excessive force against protesters,”

Toner said. “We’ve made that very clear in our public, as I’m saying right now, but also in our private conversations with them.” The Washington Post/ Novem-

ber 24, 2011

P r e s i d e n t F e l i p e Calderón appointed the head of the national i n t e l l i g e nc e a g e n cy , Alejandro Poiré, as the new inter ior minister on Thur sday , r ep l a c i ng Francisco Blake Mora, who died in a helicopter crash last week.

The New York Times/ November 17, 2011

About 700 U.S. mostly civilian trainers will help Iraqi security forces when American troops leave, Iraqi and U.S. officials say, far less than the several thousand troops and contractors once under d i s c u s s i o n b e t w e e n Baghdad and Washington. Reuters/ November 23, 2011

Authorities found more than 20 bodies Thursday inside three abandoned vehicles in Guadalajara, Mexico. The city recently hosted the Pan American Games and is scheduled to host a large international book festival next week a few miles away from where

the bodies were found.

CNN/ November 24, 2011

White House defends after Russian warning The White House said that U.S. and NATO plans to deploy a European missile shield by 2020 remain on track, after Russian warned it would arm itself with missiles able to defeat the shield.

The Obama administration is stepping up pressure on Egypt’s military rulers in

advance of parliamentary elections scheduled for Monday, urging faster democ-ratic reforms and curbs on security forces.

US will hit the Iranian economy with new sanctions Monday, U.S. officials said, teaming with Britain and Canada in an effort to pressure Tehran to halt its sus-pected nuclear weapons program.

PAGE 3

It has been more than a month since Gaddafi was captured and killed by the

rebel forces in Libya. When the news was announced, it was perceived as an

end to this nine-month-long conflict and the start of the normalization proc-

ess by many. However, still, there are some questions about the transition

process and the future of Libya; especially when the security issues are con-

cerned. Some more recent news indicates that these concerns are well-based,

indeed.

On the 12th and 13th November, two different militia groups were reported to clash with each other

on a highway between Tripoli and Zawiyah, two important coastal cities located on the North West of

the country. The clash resulted in multiple casualties. What is even more striking is the fact that

many of the rebels who took part in the firefight did not even know who they were receiving fire from

or who they were shooting at. According to the New York Times, while some of the rebels believed

they confronted rival militias, some others thought that they were fighting against Gaddafi loyalists.

Apart from what they really perceived or not at the time, the clashes continued for days and pro-

vided a bloody example of the risks which are carried by Libya while the international community

discusses Libya’s unclear future related to security concerns.

Starting from the early days of the revolt, a great number of people gathered together under different

groups and fought on the same side for the mutual goal: Toppling Muammar Gaddafi and his re-

gime. This huge mass contained many different backgrounds as well as different agendas for the af-

termath. While the international community witnessed young rebels playing guitars and dreaming of

a free Libya in which they can freely make music without Gaddafi regime’s oppression; at the same

time, rebels with intense religious rhetoric and with ideals of a more religious Libya without Gad-

dafi’s oppression was also visible in many instances. If we add the tribal structure of the Libyan so-

ciety to the equation, it will not be hard to see why the militia structure is that chaotic. Conse-

quently, Libya now has a militia, which is supposed to constitute the basis for the future security

and administrative structures of the country, along with its complicated interest dynamics. The

power struggle on the way of creating the new cabinet and the security forces is not solely caused

due to ideological or tribal differences. In fact, former governmental officials of the Gaddafi regime

and members of the Libyan Armed Forces units who changed side against the Gaddafi regime and

joined the rebel forces during the revolt also receive some considerable objections by some rebels.

The rationale behind this objection is very simple: Mistrust of the former Gaddafi regime members.

In the light of these circumstances, it is very sensible to worry about a possible internal conflict due

to power struggle in Libya. Such a conflict might cause disastrous effects not only for the internal

affairs of Libya, but also for the regional and global security; especially in a scenario that the coun-

try loses its central government and authority. If that happens, the potential security risks would

not be less threatening than the notorious examples of Somalia and Afghanistan. In fact, I believe

that there are mainly two reasons for Libya to be able to pose a greater risk than the mentioned

ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

POWER STRUGGLE IN LIBYA AND ITS

POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS

PAGE 4

countries which have been examples of

inadequate or nonexistent state authority.

Firstly, Libya is located in a geography

which is pretty close to Europe. In case of

Libya’s becoming a failed state; the poten-

tial “unlawful forces” that use Libya as a

safe haven can start from disrupting the

vital economical activities in the region

and proceed to causing homeland security

problems for the region; which includes all

the Mediterranean countries in practical

terms. Secondly, the equipment that is

used by the rebel forces today seems like

even more threatening than the ones that we can see in Somalia or Afghanistan, which is an impor-

tant issue if the misuse of the equipment is concerned. During the war against Gaddafi regime,

along with the old Libyan military equipment that were acquired through defection of the Libyan

Armed Forces units and pillages from the army ammunition depots; the rebels received many differ-

ent types of military equipment from the supporting countries as well. Now, the Libyan rebel forces

have a great variety of weapon systems, including man-portable anti air defense systems

(MANPADS), which are discussed, for a good long time, to be a significant threat against civilian

aviation, as well. In case of an authority loss, this fair amount of equipment can become not only an

internal or regional problem, but also a global one. International security can be endangered dra-

matically because of a potential portion of this equipment to be smuggled worldwide through arms

trafficking.

Of course, this increased level of threat against Europe, in the first place, would attract more atten-

tion than a relatively distant issue regarding Somalia or Afghanistan. This may create a much more

effective cooperation and reaction among the related countries, mostly European and the other

Western ones, against the possible future problems mentioned above. In other words, unlike the

cases of Afghanistan and Somalia in which many of the European countries did not have to deeply

worry about the problems as if those problems were their first priority national security issues;

many could expect these European countries to handle the Libyan question as a national security

problem of their own. However, having looked at the economic and political troubles which the

European countries have to deal with nowadays and in the forthcoming days, I would not fully

count on a rapid and consistent European reaction against wider range of possible international se-

curity problems that can be results of internal power struggle and a loss of authority in Libya.

All in all, I believe that the international community should keep a close eye on the normalization

process in the aftermath of Gaddafi. Although his removal seemed like the end of the problems to

many, I would suspect whether it will be an easy process or not to normalize the country. As I tried

to explain here, the stakes are high in both the regional and global level in case of a failure of nor-

malization process.

Serhat SAKIN

ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

PAGE 5

ASIA

Russia to move missiles to EU borders if U.S. shield talks fail - Medvedev

Russia may deploy "advanced offensive weapon systems" on its borders with Europe in response to

a planned U.S.-backed European missile shield, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday.

Leaders of Japan, China and South Korea on Saturday agreed to seek a trilateral investment treaty by the end of this year as a way to speed up talks on a free trade pact among the three countries, a senior Japanese official said.

Reuters/ November 19, 2011

With global climate talks set to

begin next week, China on

Tuesday issued the most

comprehensive document yet

on its plans and negotiating

positions on emissions.

The New York Times/

November 22, 2011

China's economy faces growing risks from Europe's sovereign debt crisis and from debt held by local Chinese governments but it could engineer a soft landing by easing monetary policy, the World Bank said on Tuesday.

Reuters/ November 22, 2011

Other military measures outlined by Medvedev included the placement of

an early-warning radar in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and the

increased protection of nuclear deterrent assets around the country. The U.S and NATO plan to place elements of the European missile shield in

Poland and Romania. The Alliance has dismissed Russia’s concerns over

the shield, saying it needs it to deal with ―rogue states‖ such as Iran.

Russia and NATO tentatively agreed to cooperate on the European missile

defense network at the Lisbon Summit in November 2010, but differences

in approaches toward the project led to a deadlock in negotiations. Medvedev reiterated on Wednesday Russia’s proposal to create a joint

missile defense system. He also said, however, that Russia would not

participate in a project that went against its interests. RIA Novosti/

November 23, 2011

PAGE 6

North Korea threatens 'sea of fire' on South over island military drills

Seoul's manoeuvres near Yeonpyeong island on anniversary of last year's at-

tack by North prompt strong warnings.

North Korea has threatened to turn Seoul's presidential office into a "sea of fire" af-ter South Korea conducted military drills near an island attacked by the North last year. The exercises marked the first anniversary of North Korea's artillery attack on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong that killed two marines and two civilians. The North Korean military warned on Thursday that "a similar sea of fire" may en-gulf Seoul's presidential Blue House if South Korean forces ever fired a single shot into North Korea's territory. The warning was carried by North Korean state media.

Pyongyang blamed Seoul for provoking the attack last year, saying it struck after warning South Korea not to carry out live-fire drills in waters that both Koreas

claim as their territory. The Guardian/ November 24, 2011

Russian warships in Syrian waters

The rift between Russia and the West over Syria and Iran has widened on Tuesday as Moscow sent warships to Syrian shores in a show of support for the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and slammed new United States sanctions against Iran as “unacceptable”.

Three Russian warships have entered Syrian

territorial waters, Russian wire services reported

on Tuesday citing Syrian sources. The news came

a day after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei

Lavrov accused the West and Arab monarchies of

engaging in ―political provocation‖ in Syria by

rejecting dialogue between the opposition and

authorities and welcoming armed attacks on

government offices.The Russian warships were

reported to be heading towards the Syrian port of

Tartus, where Russia has a naval base.

The Hindu/ November 22, 2011

Egypt battles show revolution's unfinished business

Curbs on dealings with central bank and funding for projects announced amid reports of deadly clashes inside country.

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

Arab League approves Syria sanctions

Yemeni protesters reject president’s power transfer deal

that leaves much of regime intact

The agreement ending President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year rule provides

for only the shallowest of changes at the top of the regime, something the U.S. administration likely favored to preserve a fragile alliance against one

of the world’s most active al-Qaida branches based in Yemen. The plan

drawn up by Yemen’s oil-rich Gulf neighbors does not directly change the

system Saleh put in place over three decades to serve his interests. Saleh

signed the agreement Wednesday in the Saudi capital Riyadh, transferring power to his vice president within 30 days. If it holds, he will be the fourth

dictator pushed from power this year by the Arab Spring uprisings.But the

deal leaves much more of the old regime intact than the uprisings in

Tunisia, Egypt and Libya — something that will almost certainly translate

into continued unrest. Protesters who have been in the millions for nearly

10 months were out again Thursday, rejecting a provision that gives Saleh immunity from prosecution. The Washington Post/ November 24, 2011

PAGE 7

Four men have been killed

in protests this week by the

Shia minority in eastern

Saudi Arabia in the most

serious outbreak of

violence in the Kingdom

since the start of the Arab

Spring. The Independent/

November 25, 2011

Libyans celebrated late into

the evening Saturday the

reported capture of

Moammar Gadhafi's son,

Saif al-Islam, nabbed in a

desert gunbattle after an 18

-day stakeout. CNN/

November 19, 2011

An in f luent ia l I ran

parliamentarian has said

that the country has

arrested 12 agents of the

A m e r i c a n C e n t r a l

Intelligence Agency, the

country’s official IRNA news

agency reported. The

Telegraph/ November 24,

2011

Protesters are standing up against the military rulers who officially took over after Mubarak's ouster.

Protesters are standing up against the military rulers who officially took

over after Mubarak's ouster. After having held a great deal of power under

Mubarak, the military openly took control. Military leaders have said they will transfer power to an elected government. But while the complex elec-

toral process is set to begin with next week's parliamentary elections, the

presidential vote could be a year away. Protesters say they fear that the en-

trenched military, which served under Mubarak, is working to maintain a

grip on society. While protests have been common in Egypt in recent weeks,

the tensions have boiled over since Saturday with clashes between security forces and protesters. CNN/ November 23, 2011

The Arab League has approved sanctions against Syria to pressure the government to end its eight-month crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, effective immediately.Syria described the move, announced on Sunday in Cairo, as a betrayal of Arab solidarity.At a press conference in the Egyptian capital, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, the Qatari foreign minister, said 19 of the bloc's 22 member nations approved the sanctions, including cutting off transactions with the Syrian central bank and halting Arab government funding for projects in Syria."Today is a sad day for me, because we still hope our brothers in Syria will sign the document of the protocol and stop the killings, and to release the detainees and withdraw its military from Syrian districts," Sheikh Hamad said.The sanctions include a stop to relationships between Arab countries and the Syrian Central Bank, a

stop to trade exchange with the Syrian government, and a travel ban on the Syrian officials. Al Jazeera/ November 27,2011

A U.S.-backed deal for Yemen’s authoritarian president to step down fell

far short of the demands of protesters who fought regime supporters on

the streets of Sanaa Thursday in clashes that left five dead.

The discovery of the fact that a group of neo-Nazis had been murdering immigrants for years, and

filming the bodies of their victims, created a widespread shock in Germany.

The 10 victims - eight Turks, a Greek and a German policewoman - were killed over

a decade in Germany. Unfortunately, their suspected killers were only deciphered

this month. Two members of the "National Socialist Underground"-Uwe Mundlos, 38,

and Uwe Boenhardt, 34-had committed suicide, whereas the other two people were arrested because of their linkages with the crimes. Detectives are reopening all un-

solved cases, back to 1998, in which the racist motives took part. The alleged neo-

Nazi cell is also suspected of carrying out a bomb attack in Cologne, in which 23

people were wounded, and a number of bank robberies.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has already called the case a national disgrace, asking how the cell could have remained undetected for so long. Actually, there are reports

that domestic intelligence agencies probably knew about this group’s actions, but ignored them. It is ob-

viously Germany’s failure to protect its own citizens. Chancellor Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU)

passed a resolution, which shows there’s a need for structural changes at agencies, encouraging the gov-

ernment to take action against "a brutal threat to our democratic way of life." The German authorities describe the NPD as racist, and blame the party for being inspired by the Nazis. By taking into account

the previous attempt to ban the NPD which ended in failure, in this environment, whether the scandal

provides any grounds for banning the far right National Democratic Party (NPD) is also questionable. It is

obvious that politicians and authorities failed to take the threat from right-wing extremists seriously

enough. Without a doubt, anyone who lives in Germany, regardless of their origins, religious beliefs or

orientation, should have the same constitutionally guaranteed protections. Sibel DÜZ

OPINIONS

PAGE 8

According to Obama, the disputed South China Sea problem should be discussed

at the East Asia Summit with 18 nations including China, and all Southeast

Asian countries around the table. This idea is completely against that of Chinese

one. Unlike Obama, his Chinese counterpart argues that China wants to discuss

her territorial disputes individually with nations like the Philippines and Viet-

nam. Indeed, Chinese strategists think that their concern is that, one on one it is

far harder for them to resist Chinese pressure, and they welcome the idea of the

US being at the table. It is necessary to know that, the South China Sea matters

not only because it has rich oil and gas resources, and some of the world's busi-

est trade routes; but also because it is where the competing interests of the US

and China overlap in Asia. If we come back to the subject again, China's neighbours have complained

about her increasing assertiveness in staking their claims in the South China Sea. So the US is strength-

ening alliances and spreading her reach in Asia. In fact, the United States did not have a view on sover-

eignty on the South China Sea; but wanted to see shipping lanes remain open. However, I think Ameri-

can interest in South China Sea is representing a zero-sum game; because they are step by step imple-

menting a containment policy against China just like it was implemented against the Soviets in the Cold

War period. Anıl TOLUNAY

ASIA

Peaceful Coexistence or Hostile Polarizaton

EUROPE

Neo-Nazi Hunt in Germany

The last week, we have witnessed hot debates particularly about the issue of South China Sea be-

tween the US and China. Some significant declarations that emphasized the purpose of more US

involvement in Asia-pacific region came from Obama.

OPINIONS

PAGE 9

Is the Arab Spring going to be worth it?

Will the democratic regimes of the Arab Spring revolutions be able to provide and maintain values

like secularity, equality of sexes and freedom of speech and minority rights while constructing

their policies on the Islamist ideology?

As the revolutions of Arab Spring are proceeding with the success of the opposi-

tion groups at overthrowing their dictators and founding their new governments, world

celebrates the people of these counties and the leaders of the revolutionaries. The general

feeling that has been spread by the media is that finally oppressed people of these Arab

countries got rid of their rulers and now they are ready to live in peace. Nevertheless noth-

ing is as it seems. Unfortunately there are tons of problems ahead for these people. One of

these problems is the newly founded governments’ tendency to Islamism. Democratically

elected parties or the ones that are expected to win the next elections in these countries

raise the question in the Western world that; will these democratic regimes be able to pro-

vide and maintain values like secularity, equality of sexes and freedom of speech while constructing their poli-

cies on the Islamist ideology.

In order to clarify this argument, we can look at the political tendencies of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya’s

governments after the revolutions. Tunisians recently went for elections after the Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was

ousted. This was the first election since the 23 year-rule of the Ben Ali. And at end of the day, moderate

Islamist Ennahda party, the party which was banned for its Islamist programs and repressed under Ben Ali’s

rule, declared its victory. This indicates that the majority of Tunisians still have Islamist tendencies while

chanting for democracy. It is true that Ennahda party was elected by the people so its authority is democratic

and legitimate but it is not easy to say that Tunisia will be a secular country because of the Ennahda party’s

leader Rachid Ghannouchi’s emphasis on the liberal and socially conservative program.

Also in Egypt after Hosni Mubarak’s step down, in the parliamentary elections which is going to be

held this week, a fundamentally Islamist party, Muslim Brotherhood is expected to be victorious. Muslim

Brotherhood is Egypt’s oldest and largest Islamist group which was founded in 1920s and advocates democ-

ratic principles but also a state ruled by the Shariah Law. This means that it is impossible to talk about secu-

larism and also expansion of women rights. Thus, in Egypt; tendency of the majority is a democracy under Is-

lamic rules which has nothing to do with a secular state, modernism and women and minority rights. Egyptian

Coptic Christians’ concern also reflects the post-Mubarak Egypt’s rising Islamism. Coptic Christians, who are

the largest minority with 10 and 15% of a population of 82 million country, claim that they were living less

concerned about their future under the Mubarak regime but now the rising to the power of the Islamists make

them more uneasy, and their future seem more uncertain.

Libya as the third Arab country which gained its liberation from the 42-year rule of Gaddafi, seems

likely to choose an Islamist path for its new government too. Head of the Libyan National Transitional Council,

Mustafa Abdul Jalil announced that the new Libyan government will take the Islamic Shariah as the main

source of law. He also said that the Islamic Shariah Law will be the basis of Libya’s new constitution. Under

these circumstances polygamy will also keep its dominant role in the Libyan society since the Shariah Law

doesn’t put any restrictions on it. Legitimacy of polygamy unfortunately shows that future of the women rights

will continue to be a challenging issue in Libya.

All of these Islamic tendencies in these countries lead us to question if the path that is chosen by the

revolutionaries will guarantee a civilized, modern and equal society for the people who were repressed under

authoritarian rule for many decades. Governing a country with religious rules and without any secular institu-

tions doesn’t seem to be different than the oppression of the dictators who were supported by the Western

countries. When they were at the top maybe the Western values were more supported by them but there wasn’t

any democracy. Now they have democracy but the hegemony of Islamic rules will also bring a different kind of

oppression on people. Thus the future of secularity, equality between sexes and minority rights doesn’t seem at

the horizon with the rise of the Islamism in the Arab countries. Talya YÜZÜCÜ

At least two people, one of them a bus driver, were injured in the attack near the

flashpoint city of Homs, they say. The passengers, who had attended the annual

Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, later arrived back in Turkey. Private news agency

Dogan showed images of the vehicle with one of its side windows broken. "We

confirm that an attack took place in Syria." a foreign ministry official told AFP news

agency, without giving any further information, but reiterated Turkey's warning to

its citizens not to visit Syria. Tensions have been running high between Syria and

Turkey as Ankara has become increasingly vocal in its criticism of President

Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on anti-government protests in his country.

BBC News/ November 21, 2011

TURKEY

Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan apologizes for Dersim killings

He is the first Turkish leader to make the apology. The killings occurred when the

army crushed a Kurdish rebellion in Dersim, using aerial bombings and poison

gas. The apology comes at a time of tension between Turkey and its minority

Kurdish population. Mr Erdogan made the unexpected apology during a meeting of

party officials in the Turkish capital Ankara. "If there is need for an apology on

behalf of the state, if there is such a practice in the books, I would apologize and I

am apologizing." Mr Erdogan said in remarks which were televised. Mr Erdogan's

apology appeared to be part of a war of words with the leader of the CHP, Kemal

Kilicdaroglu, whose family has strong links with Tunceli. Dersim is the most tragic

event in our recent history. It is a disaster that should now be questioned with

courage. BBC News/ November 23, 2011

Turkish President Abdullah Gül

and British Prime Minister

David Cameron held a joint

press conference recently

following their meeting as part

of Gül's state visit to the United

Kingdom. "On terrorism, we

stand shoulder to shoulder,"

Cameron said.

Hurriyet Daily News/

November 23, 2011

PAGE 10

Turkish Muslim pilgrims' bus 'shot at in Syria

The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has apologized for the killing of more than 13,000 Kurds by the Turkish military in the late 1930s.

A bus, part of a convoy carrying Turkish pilgrims, has come under gun attack in central Syria,

Turkish media and officials say.

Turkey centralizes efforts for national cyber security

Turkey is set to coordinate its various government departments’ individual

efforts in order to build a national cyber security umbrella.

In October Turkey’s top defense company, Aselsan, sponsored a critical workshop

with the participation of government experts and academics. A series of policy

recommendations was released. Presently, Turkey’s various government

departments employ individual solutions against cyber-attacks. The government’s

scientific research institute, TÜBİTAK, offers crypto solutions while strategic

departments like the General Staff and the national intelligence agency, MİT, rely

on local cyber security solutions developed by the defense software company

Havelsan. At the moment most government departments other than the General

Staff and MİT rely on foreign solutions while these two have built their systemson

domestic solutions. Hurriyet Daily News/ November 21, 2011

Members of the terrorist

Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)

killed three people in an attack

on an oil field in southeast

Turkey overnight, security

officials said on Thursday.

Today’s Zaman/ November 24,

2011

The 600th anniversary of

Polish-Turkish diplomatic

relations will be celebrated in

2014 under the patronage of

the presidents of our two

countries.

Today’s Zaman/ November

23, 2011

Out of power,

Berlusconi

finds 'True

Love'

His fall from

government has

not stopped the creativity of the flamboyant former

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has

written the lyrics for a new CD out Tuesday.

Pakistan releases hunting falcons 'from Qatari

royal'

Custom officials in the Pakistani city of Karachi have

released 52 falcons that they say were unlawfully

transported into the country.

28 November 2011

Sondan Sonra (Play), 20:00, ġinasi Stage

Ay-Carmela (Play), 20:00, Ankara Sanat Tiyatrosu

AST

Bir Takım Azizlikler (Play), METU KKM

29 November 2011

Kantocu (Musical), 20:00, Çayyolu Theatre Cüneyt

Gökçer Stage

Küçük ġeyler (Play), 20:00, ġinasi Stage

Gezgin Gözüyle 2011 (Photography Exhibition),

Contemporary Art Center of Çankaya Municipality

30 November 2011

Babel Project Nazım (Concert), 20:00, Nazım

Hikmet Culture Center

Tosca (Opera), 20:00, Ankara Opera House

Red Bull Flying Bach (Dance Show), 20:30, METU

KKM

1 December 2011

Bülent Ortaçgil (Concert), 22:00, If Performance

Hall

George Dandin (Play), 20:00, Küçük Tiyatro

Kent ve bellek resimleri (Art Exhibition), Cer

Modern

2 December 2011

Troya (Dance Show), 21:00, Anadolu Gösteri

Merkezi

Erkan Oğur - Ġsmail Hakkı Demircioğlu (Concert),

20:00, METU KKM

IĢın Karaca (Concert), 22:30, Jolly Joker

3 December 2011

Tannhäuser (Opera), 20:00, Ankara Opera

House

Duman (Concert), 22:00, Jolly Joker

AĢıklar Kabilesi (Art Exhibition), Cer Modern

4 December 2011

Düğün (Play), 15:30, ġinasi Sahnesi

Camaltında Renkli Dünyalar (Art Exhibition), TC

Merkez Bankası Art Gallery

ODDLY ENOUGH

What is this….ISAF

PAGE 11

The International Security Assistance

Force (ISAF) is a NATO-led security mission

in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001

by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn

Agreement.It is engaged in the War in Afghanistan

(2001–present). In support of the Government of the

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, ISAF conducts

operations in Afghanistan to reduce the capability and will of the insurgency, support the growth in

capacity and capability of the Afghan National

Security Forces (ANSF), and facilitate improvements

in governance and socio-economic development in

order to provide a secure environment for sustainable stability that is observable to the

population. In accordance with all the relevant

Security Council Resolutions, the main role of ISAF

is to assist the Afghan government in the

establishment of a secure and stable environment.

ISAF, through its Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTS), helps the Afghan Authorities strengthen the

institutions required to fully establish good

governance and rule of law and to promote human

rights.

EDITORIAL

GENERAL DIRECTOR

PELĠN YAVUZ

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

ERMAN AKSÜT

PELĠN KÜNEY

CO- EDITOR

SĠBEL DÜZ

COORDINATORS

MEHMET YETĠM

GĠZEM ÖZTEN

TALYA YÜZÜCÜ

ÖZLEM MELĠS MUTLU

CORRESPONDENTS

ANIL TOLUNAY

ESĠN TURHAN

SERHAT SAKIN

FIRAT OLGUN

YĠĞĠT AYDOĞ

HANDE KAYMA

MANSUR ALĠ GEDĠK

FULYA YETĠġ

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