Turkey's Second Opening

As the country moves into 2013, Turkey’s domestic politics appears polarized, characterized by uncertainties about the future and the ability of the country to meet them. A glance at Turkish politics will lead any observer to identify some persistent problems as well as others that have become more important recently. Many are linked with each other, and not all lend themselves to concerted policy action by the government and the opposition. A shortlist of these would include the writing of a new constitution, the addressing of the Kurdish aspirations for ethnic recognition and rights, the redefinition of the position of the military in Turkish politics, the functioning of the Turkish judicial system, and the declining character of Turkish democracy.