2014 Turkey Special Weapons News

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

December

• Turkey PM warns against more violence in southeast Iran Press TV 28 Dec 2014 -- Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has warned that the government will take action against any further violence in the southeast.
• Kurds warn Ankara hostilities could resume Iran Press TV 24 Dec 2014 -- A senior leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has warned that hostilities could resume in southeast Turkey if the current talks with Ankara make no headway.
• Turkey Building Refugee Camp for Syrians Sputnik 21 Dec 2014 -- Turkey has begun the construction of a new refugee camp in the southeast of the country, which will house tens of thousands of Syrians fleeing from violence, the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) told Al-Jazeera.
• Erdogan raps EU over criticism of crackdown on journalists Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2014 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out at the European Union (EU) over its criticism of recent Turkish crackdown on opposition media, lauding as "clean and lawful" the legal process against his opponents.
• Arrest warrant issued for US-based Turkish opposition figure Iran Press TV 19 Dec 2014 -- An Istanbul court has issued an arrest warrant for the US-based Turkish opposition figure, Fethullah Gülen.
• Turkey Orders Arrest of Political Opponents VOA 19 Dec 2014 -- A Turkish court has ordered the formal arrest of a television station chief and three police officials on terrorism charges, but ordered the release of eight others, including a newspaper editor, connected to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric accused of plotting to overthrow Turkey's government.
• Turkey accuses daily chief of terror activity Iran Press TV 18 Dec 2014 -- Prosecutors in Turkey have accused the editor-in-chief of a popular daily of establishing an armed terror network.
• Turkey's Authoritarianism Dismays Western Allies VOA 16 Dec 2014 -- The Turkish government has been defiant in the face of criticism at home and abroad for its raids targeting opposition media. The European Union on Monday expressed dismay after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Brussels for criticizing his government's action. Turkey's bid to be considered for EU membership has been on hold while critics accuse the NATO ally of increasingly authoritarian rule.
• Erdogan Tells EU To 'Mind Own Business' In Media Arrests RFE/RL 15 Dec 2014 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that weekend raids on opposition media outlets were in response to 'dirty operations' by political enemies, and told the EU not to interfere.
• Turkey's Media Raids Could Presage Wider Crackdown VOA 15 Dec 2014 -- Turkey's government is facing growing international pressure following police raids on media establishments. But the Turkish president has dismissed criticism and said the country's national security is at stake.
• Turkish Police Raid Supporters of Presidential Rival Sputnik 14 Dec 2014 -- Turkish police on Sunday carried out raids on media out-lets linked to Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, a former ally turned adversary of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who is currently living in exile in the US.
• Turkish Police Raid Media Close to Erdogan Rival VOA 14 Dec 2014 -- Police in Turkey raided media outlets throughout the country Sunday, arresting 24 supporters of a rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Proposed Expansion of Turkish Police Powers Criticized VOA 12 Dec 2014 -- The European Union and human rights organizations say the Turkish government's proposed expansion of police powers are part of a dramatic shift toward an authoritarian state.
• EU Foreign Chief in Turkey, Seeks Support Against IS VOA 08 Dec 2014 -- The foreign affairs chief of the European Union is leading a high-level delegation to Turkey to discuss Ankara's role in battling the Islamic State group and to re-invigorate the country's accession bid. But the visit comes as relations are at a low point.
• Mogherini Says EU Must Work With Turkey, Others Against Foreign Fighters RFE/RL 08 Dec 2014 -- The European Union's foreign policy chief has used a visit to Ankara to call on EU states to work closely with international partners such as Turkey to stop foreign fighters from traveling to the Middle East to join radical Islamist militants.
• US Denies Deal Close on Syria/Turkey Safe Zone VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- The U.S. military is downplaying the idea of creating a buffer zone along the Syrian-Turkish border, after a report said a deal with Turkey on military coordination was near.
• Gazprom to build new 63 bcm Black Sea pipeline to Turkey instead of S. Stream RT 01 Dec 2014 -- Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller said the energy giant will build a massive gas pipeline that will travel from Russia, transit through Turkey, and stop at the Greek border – giving Russia access to the Southern European market.
• Five Things That Vladimir Putin And Recep Tayyip Erdogan Have In Common RFE/RL 01 Dec 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to Ankara on December 1 for talks with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on foreign policy, energy, and a potential trade deal worth $100 billion.
• Putin:Russia Cannot Continue South Stream Construction in Current Situation Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- Russia is unable to continue the South Stream gas pipeline project implementation in current conditions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.

November

• Turkey seeks more powers for police against protesters Iran Press TV 25 Nov 2014 -- The Turkish government has submitted to the parliament a bill that would authorize police forces to use weapons against demonstrators and to make more arrests during protest rallies.
• Biden Wraps Up Visit to Turkey VOA 23 Nov 2014 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife met Sunday with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, during the last day of his visit to Turkey.
• Biden, Erdogan Discuss Syrian Regime Change VOA 22 Nov 2014 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden says he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed a Syrian transition of power away from the Bashar al-Assad regime.
• VP Biden to Visit Turkey to Mend Ties VOA 20 Nov 2014 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is traveling to Turkey Friday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - their first meeting since the vice president criticized Turkey for allowing foreign recruits to cross into Syria from Turkish territory and join extremist groups.
• Amnesty Reports on Turkish Border Abuses VOA 20 Nov 2014 -- The international human rights group Amnesty International says the world community's failure to deal with the growing number of Syrian refugees fleeing into Turkey has led to a crisis of unprecedented proportions.
• Turkey, Iraq Agree on Military Cooperation Against IS: Iraqi PM Sputnik 20 Nov 2014 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Abadi also invited Turkish investment companies to return to Iraq.
• Turkey, US Struggle to Merge Interests in IS Fight VOA 19 Nov 2014 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed Wednesday that Turkey will not open its bases to the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group until his demands are met.
• Turkey to go ahead with development plan for Istanbul's Gezi Park Iran Press TV 19 Nov 2014 -- Turkish officials have hinted at plans to go ahead with the controversial redevelopment of Gezi Park in the country's largest city of Istanbul, which sparked deadly clashes last year.
• Assault on Sailors Highlights Turkish Anger at US VOA 13 Nov 2014 -- Prosecutors in Turkey released a dozen nationalist protesters Thursday who attacked three American sailors in Istanbul the day before.
• U.S., Turkey to Investigate Attack on Sailors AFPS 12 Nov 2014 -- American and Turkish authorities will swiftly investigate the attack earlier today on three U.S. sailors in Istanbul, Turkey, a Pentagon spokesman said here today.
• US Sailors Attacked in Istanbul VOA 12 Nov 2014 -- Three U.S. sailors were assaulted Wednesday on the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, by a group of what the Pentagon is calling "thugs."
• Wiretapping Scandal: Turkish Police Arrest 17 Officers Sputnik 12 Nov 2014 -- Turkish authorities detained 17 police officers on charges of illegal wiretapping following instructions from Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office, Dogan Turkish news agency said Wednesday.
• Syria Conflict Strengthens Turkey-France Ties VOA 10 Nov 2014 -- With Turkey facing growing criticism from many of its Western allies, there is one nation it is developing closer ties with - France. Until recently, the two countries had endured a frosty relationship, but they are finding common ground over Syria.
• Turkey-bound ships take militants to Iraq, Syria: Interpol Iran Press TV 07 Nov 2014 -- Foreign terrorists are increasingly going to Turkey through booking tickets on cruise ships to join Takfiri groups in neighboring Syria and Iraq, Interpol has warned.
• Turkey's Erdogan Dismisses Opposition Criticism Regarding New Presidential Palace RIA Novosti 06 Nov 2014 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday has dismissed opposition criticism regarding the new presidential palace recently built in Ankara.

October

• Iran, Turkey Rivalry Puts Focus on Kurds VOA 30 Oct 2014 -- As differences over Syria and the Islamic State continue to deepen between Turkey and Iran, Kurds living across the Middle East are set to become pawns in the intensifying rivalry between these two regional powers.
• Syrian crisis not resolved due to Turkish 'ambitious tendencies' ISNA 28 Oct 2014 -- An Iranian senior official said Syrian issue would have been settled, if Turkish President had not made obstacles due to its ambitious tendencies.
• Turkey says FSA must be equipped and trained to rule in Kobani Iran Press TV 28 Oct 2014 -- Turkey has called for the equipment of the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) to rule the Syrian border city of Kobani if ISIL Takfiri militants are flushed out of the Kurdish city.
• Turkey-Denmark Relations Tense Over Deal With IS VOA 27 Oct 2014 -- There is a growing diplomatic dispute between Turkey and Denmark over the release of a Turkish man suspected of shooting a Danish writer and anti-Muslim activist. The man, who was released from police custody in September as part of an alleged exchange for 49 hostages held by the Islamic State, is now believed to have joined the radical group in Syria.
• Turkey launches new arrests of top officers for eavesdropping Iran Press TV 21 Oct 2014 -- Turkish authorities have launched a new operation to arrest top police officers on suspicion of involvement in illegal eavesdropping on senior officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Kurds Welcome Turkish Approval of Reinforcements for Kobani VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- Kurds are welcoming the Turkish government's decision to allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters to transit Turkey to reinforce the defenders of the Syrian border town of Kobani. The United States and some European nations pushed Turkey to help the town besieged by the Islamic State militants.
• U.S. Welcomes Turkey's About-Turn On Kobani As Fighting Resumes RFE/RL 20 Oct 2014 -- The United States has praised Turkey's decision to permit the transit of Iraqi Kurdish fighters into Syria to help defend Kobani, as fightging continued in the besieged city.
• Turkey to Allow Iraqi Kurds to Reinforce Kobani VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- Turkey said on Monday it is helping Iraqi Kurds cross into Syria to aid Kurdish fighters in Kobani as they battle to hold off an advance by Islamic State militants.
• Turkey Now Helping Iraqi Kurd Fighters Reach Kobani RFE/RL 20 Oct 2014 -- The Turkish government is facilitating the transfer of Iraqi Kurdish fighters to the Syrian town of Kobani to help the beleaguered city in its fight with jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
• Number of Syrian Refugees in Turkey Reaches 1.6 Million: Turkish Emergencies Ministry RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- The number of Syrian refugees in Turkey has reached 1.6 million, Fuat Oktay, director general of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, said Monday.
• Turkish Border With Syria Open for Iraqi Kurdistan Forces: Ankara RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- Turkey is keeping its border open for Kurdish armed forces crossing from Iraq into Syria to fight the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Monday.
• US, Turkish Presidents Agree To Strengthen Cooperation Against IS: White House RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2014 -- US President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a telephone conversation agreed to strengthen cooperation against the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
• Turkey Says No to Arming Kobani Kurds VOA 19 Oct 2014 -- Turkey said on Sunday that it will not arm or agree to arms transfers to Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State militants for control of Kobani.
• Turkey-ISIL tie no longer hidden: Syria deputy FM Iran Press TV 19 Oct 2014 -- Syria's deputy foreign minister says Turkey is responsible for the acts of terror that the ISIL Takfiri militants commit in Iraq and Syria.
• Turkey-PKK Peace Deal Shaky but Not Broken VOA 17 Oct 2014 -- The peace process between the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Turkey is continuing despite warnings by rebels that negotiations are facing collapse over two primary concerns: Ankara's inaction in stopping the advance of Islamic State militants in Kobani, and the Turkish military's recent airstrikes on PKK bases.
• US, Turkey at Odds Over Strategy Against Islamic State VOA 16 Oct 2014 -- Turkey is part of the U.S.-led international coalition that is confronting the Islamic State militant group in Syria and Iraq, but Ankara has refused to participate militarily.
• Turkey Suggests Training, Equipping Syrian Opposition on Its Territory to Defeat IS RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2014 -- Turkey has suggested training and equipping Syrian opposition forces together with its partner states on Turkish soil to help them fight the Islamic State (IS), Turkish Minister for EU Affairs Volkan Bozkir said Thursday.
• Kerry puzzled by Turkish stance on ISIL at Paris presser Iran Press TV 15 Oct 2014 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry says Turkey will take part in the US-led coalition against ISIL on its own timetable, befogging the two countries' stance on the fight against terrorists even further.
• Turkish Airstrikes on PKK Threaten Peace Process VOA 14 Oct 2014 -- Turkish aircraft pounded Kurdish rebel bases in Turkey on Tuesday for the first time since a peace process began almost two years ago. The attacks follow major unrest across Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast over what Kurds see as Ankara's inaction while the Syrian Kurdish city of Kobani is under siege by the Islamic State militant group.
• PKK condemns Turkey's military airstrikes against its fighters Iran Press TV 14 Oct 2014 -- Turkey's Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has condemned Turkish military airstrikes against its fighters in the southeast of the country as violation of a ceasefire with the government.
• Turkey bombs PKK targets in Hakkari province Iran Press TV 14 Oct 2014 -- Turkish warplanes have bombed targets belonging to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the southeast of the country in the first significant air operation against the militants since the launch of a peace process two years ago, media reports say.
• Turkey Bombs Kurdish Separatists VOA 14 Oct 2014 -- Media in Turkey reported government warplanes had bombed Kurdish nationalist rebels in the southeast of the country in the first significant air operation against the group since peace talks began two years ago.
• Turkish Troops Fire on Kurdish Protesters VOA 10 Oct 2014 -- Turkish forces have fired on Syrian Kurdish protesters from the border town of Qamishli. The protesters said they were trying to show support for fellow Kurds in the beleaguered Syrian town of Kobani. Ankara says the demonstrators provoked the violence.
• NATO Secretary General thanks Patriot crews protecting Turkey NATO 10 Oct 2014 -- Visiting the Patriot deployment at Gaziantep, the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked personnel from the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, host nation Turkey and other Allies on Friday (10 October) for their contribution to reinforcing Turkey's air defence.
• Pentagon chief says US wants access to Turkey airbase Iran Press TV 10 Oct 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urges Turkey to let the United States use a key Turkish airbase as a launching ground for airstrikes in neighboring Syria.
• We oppose both ISIL, Syria: Turkey PM Iran Press TV 10 Oct 2014 -- Amid accusations of Turkey's support for ISIL militants, Turkish Prime Minister says Ankara is opposed to the Takfiri militants in the same way it opposes Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• Turkey to Train Syrian Opposition Fighters: US State Department RIA Novosti 10 Oct 2014 -- Turkey will train and equip the moderate Syrian opposition, a spokeswoman for the US State Department told reporters during a briefing Friday.
• Turkey Says It Won't Enter Ground Battle Against IS Alone VOA 09 Oct 2014 -- Turkish officials said they cannot be expected to conduct a ground operation against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria on their own.
• Turkey Rules Out Unilateral Land Operation In Syria RFE/RL 09 Oct 2014 -- Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says his country will not get involved in a unilateral land operation against Islamic State militants in northern Syria because such a move 'is not a realistic approach.'
• Turkey's Dilemma Against IS In Syria RFE/RL 08 Oct 2014 -- As Islamic State (IS) militants threaten to overrun the outgunned Syrian city of Kobani, Turkish forces stand a stone's throw away, poised to intervene at any moment.
• Turkey urges Syrian Kurds to fight Assad gov't Iran Press TV 06 Oct 2014 -- Turkish officials have reportedly called on the Syrian Kurdish fighters to join the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighting to topple the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
• US hails Turkish vote allowing military move against ISIL Iran Press TV 03 Oct 2014 -- The United States has praised as "a very positive development" a Turkish parliament vote that authorizes the government to take military action against the ISIL terrorist organization.
• Turkey's Parliament OKs Military Action in Syria, Iraq Against IS VOA 02 Oct 2014 -- The Turkish parliament approved a motion on Thursday enabling the government to authorize cross-border military incursions into Iraq and Syria to battle Islamic State militants.
• Turkey Faces Pressure Over Alleged Oil Smuggling With IS Group VOA 01 Oct 2014 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Wednesday that the fight against the Islamic State group and other extremist groups has become Turkey's top priority.

September

• Turkey's Kurds Warn Ankara's Syria Policy Threatens Peace Process VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- The head of the military wing of Turkey's Kurdistan Workers' Party has warned the peace process with Ankara is finished due to its policy towards the Syrian-Kurdish enclave. The enclave is on the verge of being over run by Islamic State forces and the Syrian city of Kobani is surrounded.
• Islamic State Tests Turkey-Iraqi Kurd Tie VOA 12 Sep 2014 -- Ankara's lack of support for Iraqi Kurds against the Islamic State militant group has cast a shadow over their otherwise close relationship.

August

• Washington Approves $320 Million Missile Sale to Turkey RIA Novosti 14 Aug 2014 -- The United States has approved the possible sale of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Turkey following a request from the Turkish government, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.
• Turkey's Erdogan May Be Changing His Attitude Toward Jihadists VOA 14 Aug 2014 -- As prime minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy toward jihadist groups like the Islamic State has strained relations with his Western allies. And once again the issue is being raised as Erdogan ascends to his new role as president of Turkey, though it appears a change may be in the offing.
• EU urges Erdogan to be more tolerant of opponents Iran Press TV 11 Aug 2014 -- The European Union has called on Turkey's president-elect, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to show more tolerance towards his opponents.
• In Turkey, Erdogan's PM Choice Central to Ambitions VOA 11 Aug 2014 -- With Recep Tayyip Erdogan elected president, his first challenge is finding a successor for the office of prime minister and a leader for his political party, AKP. While he says he wants to maximize the power of the presidency, the real power still remains in parliament.
• Erdogan Wins Turkey Presidential Poll VOA 10 Aug 2014 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won his country's first-ever direct presidential election, ensuring he will remain Turkey's leader for another five years.
• Turkey premier wins presidential vote: Unofficial results Iran Press TV 10 Aug 2014 -- Turkey's outgoing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won the country's presidential election, unofficial results say.
• Turkey's First Direct Presidential Election: What To Watch RFE/RL 09 Aug 2014 -- Turks go to the polls on August 10 to vote in the first direct presidential election in their country's history. Since the founding of the Republic of Turkey more than 90 years ago, the president had been chosen by parliament.
• Turkey Ready for First Direct Presidential Poll VOA 09 Aug 2014 -- Saturday was the last day of campaigning by candidates in Turkey's first directly elected presidential vote. Opinion polls say Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan is enjoying a commanding lead, but concerns have been growing over an increasingly acrimonious campaign.

July

• 20 Turkish police charged in wiretapping probe Iran Press TV 27 Jul 2014 -- Turkish prosecutors have charged 20 police officers with forging official documents and illegally eavesdropping on top officials, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

June

• Erdogan accuses int'l media of spying, stirring unrest in Turkey VoR 03 Jun 2014 -- Turkey's embattled prime minister lashed out at international media on Tuesday, accusing news outlets of stirring unrest during the one-year anniversary of mass anti-government protests, AFP news agency reports. Recep Tayyip Erdogan singled out CNN International, whose reporter was arrested live on air last Saturday while covering street clashes, accusing the network of spying.

May

April

• Turkey Extends Unprecedented Condolences to Armenian People RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2014 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered unprecedented condolences to the Armenian people in a statement published on his official website Wednesday.
• Turkish Law Gives Spy Agency Controversial Powers VOA 18 Apr 2014 -- Turkey's parliament has approved legislation to bolster the powers of the country's intelligence service, which the government claims is necessary to modernize and deal with new threats the country faces. But opponents say the measure will deepen a trend towards greater authoritarianism by the government.
• Turkish police clash with protesters over polls results Iran Press TV 01 Apr 2014 -- Turkish police clash with thousands of opposition demonstrators protesting against the results of mayoral elections in the major cities of Ankara and Istanbul.

March

• Turkey's Main Opposition to Reject Election Result VOA 31 Mar 2014 -- Turkey's main opposition CHP party said on Monday it would appeal against municipal election results in the capital Ankara where it suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party (AKP) on Sunday.
• Violence Mars Turkish Local Elections RFE/RL 30 Mar 2014 -- especially in Istanbul and capital, Ankara -- Clashes between members of rival parties have left at least eight people dead in local elections in Turkey.
• Turkish PM Touts Apparent Elections Win, Warns Foes VOA 30 Mar 2014 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned his political foes they will 'pay the price' for accusing him and his party of corruption. Erdogan spoke Sunday to thousands of supporters in Ankara, as he claimed victory in local elections seen as a referendum on his rule.
• Turkey: Clashes erupt during municipal elections, eight dead VoR 30 Mar 2014 -- Eight people were killed and 18 others injured on Sunday in clashes between groups backing rival candidates in Turkey's municipal elections, which turned into a referendum on the rule of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.
• Decision to block Twitter is Turkey's internal matter — PM Erdogan VoR 26 Mar 2014 -- Commenting on the reaction of the European countries on the decision to close an access to Twitter in Turkey, Prime Minister Erdogan urged the EU to 'mind its own business'. Popular social networking and microblogging service Twitter has been blocked in Turkey because it does not execute the court decisions, according to the Erdogan's interview. It is exclusively the internal matter of Turkey, he stressed.
• Turkey Fears 'Deep State' Return VOA 19 Mar 2014 -- The release of retired senior military figures and crime bosses in Turkey is prompting concern that the country's so-called 'deep state' could return.

February

• Turkey's PM Erdogan says leaked recordings 'treacherous attack' VoR 25 Feb 2014 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday condemned leaked recordings of him and his son allegedly discussing how to hide large sums of money as a 'vile attack', as he grappled with the latest setback in a damaging corruption scandal.
• Turkish PM among thousands targeted in phone-tapping - reports VoR 25 Feb 2014 -- Turkish police have eavesdropped on thousands of people including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as cabinet ministers, the country's spy chief and journalists, local newspapers reported on Monday.
• Turkish spy agency may get sweeping new powers VoR 20 Feb 2014 -- Turkey's government has submitted a bill to parliament to give the country's spy agency more sweeping powers, a parliamentary source said Thursday.
• Restrictions on Turkish Media Tighten VOA 19 Feb 2014 -- Turkey's President Abdullah Gül has signed controversial new Internet control measures into law despite national and international criticism and concerns about reduced freedoms for Turkish media. VOA's Dorian Jones met in Istanbul with the founder of an independent Internet news site that has been at the forefront of the battle over Internet and press freedom.
• Turkey's Controversial Internet Legislation Fuels Political Tensions VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- Opposition parties in Turkey have called on President Abdullah Gul to veto controversial Internet restrictions that were approved last week by the country's parliament and have increased the international community's concerns over freedoms and rights in the country

January