Turkey Quest

A concise and illuminating account of the politics, history, economics, and culture of Turkey, this book is essential for anyone who wants to know more about the country with roots in both Europe and the Middle East.

Turkey and the European Union makes a scholarly contribution to the debate over Turkey's participation in the European integration process and the EU's future enlargement. It explores the recent history of EU-Turkish relations and looks at the prospects and challenges that Turkey's membership presents to both the EU and Turkey.

This book examines the impact of European political conditionality on the process of democratization in Turkey over a twenty year period. Employing theoretical and conceptual approaches to the issue of EU conditionality, the author compares the case of Turkey to that of other European nations. Arguing that Turkey became vulnerable to the European conditionality when it applied for membership in 1987, he shows how the political reforms demanded of Turkey were not fully carried out as the EU had not in essence accepted Turkey as an official candidate during this period. The EU has started to exert real ‘active leverage’ since Turkey was declared an official candidate in 1999, and the author explores how these conditions have exerted a positive influence on democratic consolidation in Turkey. However, its effectiveness in this regard has diminished to a significant extent due to a number of problems that have continued to remain central in EU-Turkey relations. This comprehensive analysis of Turkey-EU political relations and democratization places the case of Turkey within an international context. As such, it will be of interest not only to those studying Turkish politics, government and democracy, but anyone working in the area of international relations and the EU.

This book explores the significance of Turkey’s Blue Homeland (Mavi Vatan) naval concept, which defines its maritime rights and interests in the surrounding seas – Aegean Sea, Black Sea, and the Mediterranean. The concept has a powerful socialized definition and a popular appeal across the political spectrum in Turkey with important implications for security in the wider Middle East. The book investigates the impact of geopolitics and domestic-political factors on the concept and uncovers motivations behind its trajectory since 2004 with a particular focus on the last several years, the period when Turkey’s naval assertiveness reached its peak following the failed coup attempt in 2016. Based on in-depth interviews with diplomats, naval officers, academics, and researchers in the field, the book takes the reader through a journey on how the Turkish government has reinforced an activist policy since 2016 due to pressures of regional insecurity, domestic coalition logrolling, and nationalist sentiment.

These papers examine the history behind Turkey's application for EU membership. The contributors tackle the thorny issues of Cyprus, Turkey's attitude towards a common defence policy and Turkish parliamentarians' views on the nation's relations with the European Union.

This concise history tells the story of Turkey, a country caught between the ideologies of East and West. From its beginnings as a disparate group of tribes to its status as the first secular republic in the Islamic world, Ahmad provides a full survey of Turkey’s chequered past. Covering nearly 1,000 years of history, from the eleventh-century invasion of Anatolia to attempts at European integration and involvement in the 2003 war with Iraq, Ahmad unpicks the debates and puts historical disputes in context. This updated edition also examines the problems faced by modern Turkey, from the rise of Islamic militancy to current political tensions in Turkey’s government. Whether student, general reader or first-time visitor, this wide-ranging account will be greatly appreciated by all those with an interest in the past, present and future challenges facing this diverse, and often misunderstood, country.

Hernando de Soto invades the land known as Florida, bringing the largest invasion force assembled in the new world. Herds of cattle and swine are unloaded to feed the army, and 500 native Americans are chained to carry the invader's baggage. After two years of trekking through the endless wilderness, crossing swamps, rivers, the Appalachian mountains, and facing hostile natives, Soto's shrinking army threatens mutiny. To stop the rebellion, Soto issues secret instructions to his cavaliers to locate the supply ships and send them back to Cuba, thereby stranding his army in the new land known as Florida.Luis Castillo, leader of the Cavaliers, suffering from post traumatic stress, nevertheless follows orders and leads his scouts through a nightmare landscape of disease and shattered native American towns and cities until disaster strikes the scouts at a place known as Tampa.Luis Castillo is captured in a black water swamp south of Cape Canaveral where he gradually recovers from physical and spiritual wounds. Adopted into the clan of the Native Americans known as the "Ais" Luis learns of the slavery depredations upon the people of Florida and the Indian River Lagoon.Soon the armies of Spain and France clash on the beaches of Florida.Book One of three collected stories of violence hope that redefine the history of Florida.

It is a myth universally acknowledged that lesbian couples use turkey basters to get pregnant.The Turkey Baster Diaries is a humorous, poignant and empowering autobiography of a British female couple's turbulent quest for parenthood.This book is for anyone who has ever thought about having children. Introverted Lizzie and international traveller Anna meet; fall in love and marry. Anna had always wanted children; Lizzie was surprised but receptive. The couple make baby plans, but circumstances change and tension builds.Will Lizzie and Anna be fairly treated?Will they become parents?Will it cost them their relationship?As well as being a roller-coaster of a ride The Turkey Baster Diaries contain useful guidance for those on their own family quest. "In a literary world with so little attention to LGBT parenting this tale is funny, profound and full of human honesty. You will laugh and shed a tear. Recommended wholeheartedly." Mark Dowd, author Queer and Catholic

Turkey’s accession to the European Union is undoubtedly one of the Union’s most contested potential enlargements. The narrative that dominates the debate surrounding this issue primarily relates to problems such as a lack of respect for fundamental human rights in Turkey, the Kurdish question and the continuing stalemate concerning northern Cyprus. This book looks at these issues, but also proposes that a review of Turkey’s experience with the EU in its numerous incarnations suggests that these concerns may mask a deeper disquiet. Whilst there are several questions that Turkey must address, particularly in the area of human rights guarantees, the concerns which raise debates regarding Turkish membership are not issues that are unique to Turkey. Turkey’s EU experience also raises fundamental questions about religion and the EU project that have greater implication than simply Turkish accession. Through the lens of the Turkish example, this book addresses these broader questions, such as the nature of European ‘identity’, Europe’s Christian past, the limits of pluralism and the fundamental question of religion in the European public sphere. This book will be of great interest to those engaged in research on European law and politics at undergraduate or postgraduate level. It is also aimed at academics with an interest in human rights and the European Union and with a regional interest in Turkey.