Final Reflection

This semester, as our contribution to the creation of this blog, our group was tasked with analyzing the coup that occurred in Turkey on July 15, 2016.  We began our efforts to understand the event and its significance through our first blog post; within which we sought to explain how the coup d’état was attempted, the motivations of the Turkish Armed Forces to execute it, and its connection to the Peace at Home Council. Through this study we observed the rationale behind the event, and raised questions regarding its aftermath at both a national and international level, as well as within organizations such as NATO and the EU. Continuing this analysis, we chose to dedicate our next two pieces of writing to social and human right repercussions of the coup.  For this purpose, we chose the issues of Turkey´s state crackdown and the Kurdish issue, as the main points in our extended analysis of the situation. Our second post critically analyzed Turkey’s post-coup purge, by researching the crackdown within the media and press, as well as the purge of the government, military, and state employees. These actions were undertaken as President Erdogan declared a state of emergency in Turkey, and have had dramatic domestic consequences, as well as raised international criticism for the unprecedented attacks on the principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression in the country. These events were detailed and understood in regards to the questions of Turkey’s national stability and its identity as a secular democracy. Lastly, we dedicated our final post to the Kurdish conflict, highlighting the complexity and potential international repercussions of this issue, and how it has been conditioned by the post-coup reality. By explaining the extensive history of the Kurdish population within regions of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Armenia; and their advocacy for increased political and cultural autonomy, we sought to put into perspective how precarious their position has become as President Erdogan continues his persecution of Kurds within Turkey’s borders. This is evidenced by the shutdown of Kurdish news outlets and the arrests of pro-Kurdish government officials. Moreover, this issue must be understood within the context of a much more intricate conflict regarding the issue of a potential Kurdish nation, and its ability to impact politics on a regional and global level.

Source : http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/turkey-coup-attempt-tayyip-erdogan-turkey-military-coup-uprising-2920193/

In order to research our postings, our group first determined the specific framework of the topic we were going to be covering, and then discussed the varied source materials we would need in order to conduct a proper multilateral analysis. We then divided the topic at hand into specific areas of research, which each of us centering into obtaining the most relevant information of our specific matter, while gaining a general overview of the reality we were attempting to explain.  After this we compiled our research into a Google Docs and analyzed each others work, trying to understand the larger picture and how domestic matters could be conditioning regional relations and global politics. Working in a group influenced our approach in the manner in which it allowed us to center more specifically on the research of subdivisions of the topic at hand, while also granting the possibilities that come with team critique of one’s own findings. This practice had the objective of bettering our output and granted us the possibility of tying up the pieces of each group members research into a larger narrative, while making sure that our information remained cohesive and indeed it reflected an accurate portrayal of the situation at hand. Critically analyzing each other’s work gave us a better understanding of the issue itself, and allowed us to work collectively on our final assessment.  Our research was conducted through various scopes of media, publications, and academic sources; attempting to create a well-rounded understanding of the subject of study, and minimizing the bias that every source inevitably implies.  Most of the sources we could find directly were renowned international publications that had journalist destined or specialized in Turkey.  Nevertheless, we also wanted to incorporate a broader view of how this event affected international politics, and thus resorted to other strategic policy publications that covered the regional and international implications of the event.  Lastly, we searched for opinions or articles of Turkish authors in order to understanding the issue from a domestic perspective as well.  We then compiled this information and attempted to create a product that took into account a different set of perspectives as a means to build a more coherent multifaceted narrative of the coup.

This project has allowed me to reflect on a lot of issues regarding Turkey´s current role within its regional and international context, and what this event means for its national politics. Inevitably, it will condition the lives of many within the country, and will open up debate regarding the identity of the country itself. The narrative that follows the coup within Turkey abides for democracy with an Islamic character, one which at the same time calls upon a religious majority to national unity, and leaves out those who do not reflect this reality; as per Erdogan’s wishes. This new sense of self will define Turkeys partnership with its Middle Eastern and Western allies, and undoubtedly represents a turning point that distances itself from Ataturk’s legacy.  In what pertains research, the development of these posts have been a good way for me to practice a more attentive form of gathering information, as it was vital to take into account a multifaceted perspective in order to deliver a realistic approach to what is actually happening.  It is often that we find ourselves falling into the bias provided by our own ideals, and it was interesting to try and recount different views on this event.  This practice requires a delicate understanding the type of content one is using, and its conditioning factors (origin, political affiliation, etc.).  This experience also proved to be an exercise in managing group work and team projects that I found quite useful, after a being centered around mostly individual work for some time. It was an opportunity to engaged in discussion about the topic and critically analyze our work as a team.  Group work requires commitment, compromise, and a sense of reliability; and all these notions have to be obtained through patience and practice.  I have been out of the dynamics of this work for sometime, so it was a nice learning curve to involve myself in it once again, and remember how much collaboration can really provide for a final product.

Post by Esther Brito

References

Arango, T., & Yeginsu, C. (2016, August 17). Turkey to Release Tens of Thousands of Prisoners. NY Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/world/europe/turkey-prisoners-erdogan.html

Yeginsu, C. (2016, August 23). After Failed Coup, Turkey Enjoys a Rare Period of Unity. NY Times. Retrieved September 18, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/24/world/europe/after-failed-coup-turkey-settles-into-a-rare-period-of-unity.html

Lowen, M. (2016, November 5). Is Turkey still a democracy? BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37883006