Turkey: A country in transition?

The July issue of the Al Jazeera Magazine explores the complexities of a nation straddling both east and west.

Al Jzeera magazine - Turkey

Often described as a land straddling both east and west, Turkey – with its vast array of cultures, industries and political opinions – remains as relevant to global narratives today as it was during the period of the Ottoman Empire.

July’s edition of Al Jazeera’s award-winning monthly magazine focuses on all things Turkey, as the nation grapples with protests and new voices of opposition against the government, while also managing to operate on the world stage with deft hand.

Turkey has gained notable economic success over the last decade, and continues to be both a Western ally and a regional power-player as Syria’s ongoing war sends shock waves beyond its borders.

At the heart of the country’s complexities is the prime minister, and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Both adored and abhorred, Recep Tayyip Erdogan finds himself in the unenviable position of falling prey to the policies of NATO, the taciturn manoeuvrings of the European Union and a rousing protest movement. 
 
Featured in this issue are:

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    The Occupy Gezi Park movement: A new way of opposition – The Gezi Park protests, seen as a breaking point in the recent political history of Turkey, could be defined within the framework of a new social movement. But how significant are they to the country’s political future?

  • Turkey: Master of its own – In the last decades, the country has largely managed to present itself as a major success story, an emerging economic power acting as a role model of a Muslim democracy for neighbouring Arab states. But its international reputation could be at risk.
  • Erdogan’s dilemma: One vs one million – Turkey’s prime minister and his AK Party, which gained a decade of electoral success through a non-ideological approach to politics and responsiveness to the people, today stand accused of being authoritarian and failing to understand the demands of protesters.
  • The Whirling Dervishes – Beyond the surface appeal of “spiritualised” tourism, the true essence of the ceremony lies within the depths of the mystical Sufi tradition.
  • Father of the Turks – A look at the contested legacy of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of the Republic of Turkey.

The Al Jazeera English digital magazine showcases the very best of our journalism from across the globe. It was recently honoured at the 2013 Webby Awards, by receiving the People’s Voice Award in the Best News category.

In past years, Al Jazeera English has also been named “News Channel of the Year” by the Royal Television Society, received a Peabody award for its coverage of the Arab uprisings, and a Columbia-DuPont award for its coverage of the Haiti earthquake.

The Al Jazeera English magazine is available for free download on iPad, iPhone and Android devices.

To download via iTunes: aje.me/magazine

To download on Android: aje.me/ajemagazine

Magazines for Al Jazeera Arabic and Al Jazeera Documentary were launched last year.

Source: Al Jazeera