Turkey: Democracy and the Kurds

The Washington Post has written an editorial criticizing Turkish PM Recep Erdogan  for backsliding on his commitment to democratic principles.  Despite the fact that Erdogan is pushing through Kurdish reforms, the dimming prospects of Turkey joining the E.U. has led Turkey to adopt an unwanted stance on Israel and a coziness with Iran, Syria and Sudan, as well as cracking down on Turkish media.  The editorial concludes that Erdogan must stop “coddling Muslim dictators — and stop following their practice of silencing domestic opposition.”

The New York Times on the other hand has published an editorial focusing on the courage of Erdogan’s Turkish reforms.  While the editorial notes the same worrying trends, it argues Turkey is responding to U.S. efforts to push democracy and that Europe “must finally make clear that if Turkey bolsters its democracy and respects the rights of its minorities, it will be welcome in the European Union.”