Erdoğan remains at the heart of this dynamic, and any perspective clashing with the aforementioned vision is bound to alienate supporters over the longer run. Elite change, which would prevent such developments, represents the greatest insurance policy for the AK Party.

Moody's criteria in rating countries mainly include political stability, growth potential, debt dynamics and economic stability. Based on these factors, there seems to be no excuse for not upgrading Turkey to the fit-forinvestment level long before 2013.

The US president’s appeasement of Israel would shame his former dining partners, whose own stories capture America’s problematic relationship with the Middle East.

The hundreds of policemen who were arrested on July 22 tell a valuable story about the past six years: a story of how things can get out of hand when the police, prosecutors and judges join forces.

As a government-sponsored bill rekindles the Kurdish peace process, religious Muslims and the Kurdish political movement join forces to challenge Turkey’s old ways and usher in a new period in the nation’s history.

Now, after a decade of challenging tests, the performance of the bloc is being widely questioned. Has the BRIC hypothesis proved to be true?

Reviewing and questioning policies is a level that can improve Turkey's democracy. It could even prompt reactions and expectations from pro-government groups.

A major theme that will occupy our agendas on the road to the construction of the new Turkey will be the importance of effective R&D and science-industry policies designed to overcome the "middle income trap."

President Obama's policies on these matters will have serious impacts on U.S. popularity in the world.

Turkey’s political interest in Africa has also prompted a diplomatic expansion. Turkey has increased its number of embassies on the continent from 12 in 2002 to 34 in 2013.

The crisis in Ukraine is yet another serious test of U.S. leadership in terms of its international alliances, guarantees and assurances.

While Islamophobia and conservative governments in Europe may be discouraging, Turkey must work with proponents of a more balanced relationship

Western governments' indifference toward Russian advances in Syria and elsewhere helped boost Russia's self-confidence over the last three years

Turkey's strategic journey towards a more developed, democratic and prosperous future will continue regardless of conjunctive challenges.

On Dec. 17, 2013, an operation in which a group of irrelevant files of investigations and names were merged was carried out with the joint efforts of prosecutors and the police.