Turkey

Erdogan, the Diyanet, and its Field Office near DC
Erdogan, the Diyanet, and its Field Office near DC

Across Turkey and the Turkish diaspora around the world, wariness of the Diyanet, Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, is growing.

Court-Packing Hurts Independent Judges and Citizens
Court-Packing Hurts Independent Judges and Citizens

The fact that many in Congress, as well as large segments of the American electorate and commentariat, consider court-packing a morally legitimate political tactic reveals serious deficits in our society’s understanding of and respect for the rule of law, America’s founding principles, and justice itself. What is more, it shows disrespect for the very idea of truth.

Options for Turkey’s Religious and Cultural Minorities
Options for Turkey’s Religious and Cultural Minorities

During an In Defense of Christians event, a diverse panel discussed Turkey’s current political, cultural, and religious environment, as well as potential policy options for the country to become more democratic and religiously rich.

State Department Should Deliver an Honest Message about Turkey’s Religious Freedom Record
State Department Should Deliver an Honest Message about Turkey’s Religious Freedom Record

Given the Turkish government’s particularly troubling conduct in 2020, Secretary of State Antony Blinken should deliver an honest message about the alarming trajectory of religious freedoms in Turkey.

Azerbaijan Tortures, Murders Armenian Prisoners of War
Azerbaijan Tortures, Murders Armenian Prisoners of War

Azerbaijani servicemen tortured and killed 19 Armenian prisoners after the end of last year’s 44-day war, lawyers Artak Zeynalyan and Siranush Sahakyan announced on May 3.

Government Report Signals Hope for Middle Eastern Christians - USCIRF
Government Report Signals Hope for Middle Eastern Christians

While these reports are never perfect, their existence reflects how the US government is uniquely positioned to serve as a global leader in the promotion of human rights. USCIRF’s commissioners and staff deserve commendation for producing them.

Armenian Genocide Recognition Is Just the Beginning of What Armenia Hopes For
Genocide Recognition Is Just the Beginning of What Armenia Hopes For

Even as they engage in this ceremony for the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Yerevan, there is a sense that this year is different because President Joe Biden formally recognized the Armenian Genocide, making him the first president to formally use the word “genocide” in connection to what happened to the Armenian community.

Erdogan’s Turkey and the American Guilt Gap
Erdogan’s Turkey and the American Guilt Gap

The odd thing about Bashir and Erdogan is how little they understand the West, and particularly the United States. There is no condemnation of America, its history, and its actions that foreign regimes can make that Americans did not make first, still make, and made more convincingly.

A US-led International Conference on Lebanon?
A US-led International Conference on Lebanon?

It’s now up to the Biden administration to decide if it will work with US allies to save the Middle East’s “last bastion of Christianity” or let it fall into the hands of Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.