The Optimal Target in the Opposite Camp: Metin Gürcan
The arrest of former soldier and security expert Metin Gürcan on espionage charges raised the question of who is chosen as a target in polarised politics, and why.
Author
Bahadır Şahin
26 articles · Writing for PUGAT 2021–2024 · 3 series
Articles · page 2
The Election in Germany and MPs of Turkish Origin
Olaf Scholz won the 2021 German election, and the number of MPs of Turkish origin hit a record. The article assesses the place of the Turkish community in German politics.
Germany Is Jealous of Us!
Armin Laschet, nicknamed “Turkish Armin”, was the favourite in Germany’s 2021 election but lost through small mistakes. The author comments ironically on the lessons the German election holds for Türkiye.
Dear Diary
On his birthday, a young man asks his father for only one thing: to join the party’s youth organisation. The war veteran father’s answer is short and firm. A diary story about youth under totalitarian regimes.
An Unusual Honey Trap Precaution from a Japanese Colonel
The most common blackmail material in a honey trap is an extramarital affair, but intimate images of family members can also be used. The unusual precaution a Japanese colonel took against this danger.
A Police Chief’s Memory of Fighting the Honey Trap
The honey trap is a danger awaiting everyone, whatever their profession or position. A retired police chief’s memory of fighting this trap.
Tapes Taken Down from the Shelves and the Betrayal of Friends
From an adviser who uses cocaine to a police officer dealing drugs, one scandal after another is coming out. The author argues that these revelations stem not from investigative journalism but from the powerful’s “nothing will happen to me” attitude.
Private Armies
From Blackwater to Wagner, private military companies are now part of every conflict. What are these “private armies” that let states wage war without taking responsibility, and why are they dangerous?
Wars In Afghanistan And Iraq Through The Eyes Of Machiavelli
Scott Savitz of RAND recommended two of Machiavelli’s books to the US administration. The article examines the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq in light of Machiavelli’s ideas on occupation and governance.
The Taliban’s Strategy
The decision to leave Afghanistan to the Taliban was in fact taken in Doha in 2020. The article assesses the rise of the Taliban and the consequences of its agreement with the US.
