The Turkish Republic, founded from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire by the national independence hero Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, turns 100 on Oct. 29. Ataturk established a Western-facing secular republic modeled on the great powers of the time.
Two women pass by a poster in the backdrop showing an image of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of modern Turkey, in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. The Turkish Republic, founded from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire by the national independence hero Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, turns 100 on Oct. 29.
Here is a look at some of the republic’s greatest accomplishments, and controversial realignments as it embarks on its second century.The secular vs. conservative debate remains one of the most contentious cultural divides in Turkey. Now official functions open with prayers, the Directorate of Religious Affairs has been given a budget which dwarfs most ministries, the number of religious schools have increased and even Erdogan’s unorthodox economic policy of reducing interest rates - abandoned recently - was justified on religious grounds.
One recent point of tension between Turkey and the West has been in Syria, with Turkey frequently launching attacks against local Kurdish forces which Europe and the United States consider allies and Turkey considers as off-shoots of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK. Turkey now controls large swaths of territory in Syria and speaks of creating a buffer zone along its borders with Syria and Iraq against Kurdish fighters.
Restrictions on arms sales, however, are becoming less and less of a burden, because of Turkey’s burgeoning domestic arms industry. Turkish officials maintain that Turkey’s defense industry has grown from 20 percent domestic production to 80 percent. The Erdogan era has become synonymous with a far-reaching construction boom. Highways, bridges, tunnels, pipelines, airports, hospitals and countless residences have all sprung up around the country. This new infrastructure is such a source of pride and legitimacy for Erdogan’s government that it is frequently brought up on the campaign trail.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Disney 100 Quiz Answers for TikTok Game (Today, Oct 25)Here are the Disney 100 quiz answers for today, Oct 25. These are the correct answers for the Disney100 game.
Read more »
19 Things That Are 100% True, But Feel Like They Should Be False Oct 2023Sorry, but you can't convince me that how record players work is anything other than pure magic.
Read more »
'Heartbeat Bill' Supporters Say Fetuses and Slaves Faced Similar IssuesAlmost 100 so-called fetal 'heartbeat' bills have been introduced across 25 U.S. states since 2011.
Read more »
FTSE 100, Dax and Dow Rebound from Recent LowsIndices staged a recovery on Tuesday, but morning trading so far has been cautious.
Read more »
American hippopotamus ranching almost took off 100 years agoPlus the Miami county doing peacock vasectomies, why Einstein's brain got stolen, and other weird things we learned this week.
Read more »
Goldenberg's Peanut Chews has been made in Philly for more than 100 yearsSome call it the original energy bar and it's a beloved Halloween treat. We take a tour of the Peanut Chews factory which has been making the sweet treat in Northeast Philadelphia for more than 100 years.
Read more »