Politics and power: Why the Magna Carta is still a burning issue
A bunch of English barons challenge the King for power and seize London. To make peace, the King agrees a legal document. But he then asks the Pope repeal it – which the Pope does, declaring it “null...
View ArticleCrossroads and boundaries: Eastern Anatolia
Snow-capped peaks tower over ancient mausoleums. Although they were built by Saltukids in the 12th Century, the steep-roofed tombs are reminiscent of Armenian churches. The nearby Selcuk-era madrasah...
View ArticleGay Pride in Istanbul: great stuff
A massive march surges down Istiklal, Istanbul’s main thoroughfare. Banners urge understanding of minority rights. International commentators praise the tolerance on display at one of the biggest...
View ArticleCrimean Tatars: suppression, intimidation, fear and distrust
A country illegally uses military force to seize the territory of a neighbouring country despite having signed treaties recognising, and promising to respect, that country’s territorial integrity....
View ArticleVideo: the perils of conspiracy theories
A harvest fails. Saboteurs are blamed. A well-know personality dies tragically. A secret plot is alleged. Another well-known personality dies tragically. Rumours circulate that he has faked his...
View ArticleDeep Purple and Joan Baez: how to be inspired
A grizzled rock veteran belts out the opening chords to “Smoke on the water “ in a hangar-like concert hall. A slender folk legend sings folk songs unaccompanied in an open-air arena under moonlight....
View ArticleThe Gallipoli Symphony: Hope, Peace, Friendship and Collaboration
As the last notes die away, the audience bursts into applause. Musicians playing instruments as diverse as a ney, a didgeridoo, a Taonga Puoro (a traditional Maori wind instrument) and a harmonica, as...
View ArticleWhy British manufacturing is so competitive
“I was astonished,” the senior Turkish contact tells me. “This British company got in touch to bid for [commercially sensitive – an electronic supply contract for a huge project] and it turned out...
View ArticleGreek rites – in eastern Turkey
The chanting is mesmerising. Priests in richly-decorated gowns perform the liturgy before a crowd crammed onto a rock shelf, hundreds of meters above the valley floor. TV cameras transmit the...
View ArticleGallipoli, Greenwich and Istanbul
Two hundred Scouts gather on a parade ground for a flag ceremony, surrounded by trees. As the morning sun raises the temperature into the humid mid-30’s, the flags of Turkey, the UK, Egypt, Serbia and...
View ArticleA tragic, evocative piece of Istanbul
The sun is hot between the shade-trees. In the distance, the sea sparkles. Memorials mark the resting place of 6,000 British soldiers who died at the nearby Scutari Barracks of injuries and illness...
View ArticleTurkey: media freedom, stability and prosperity
A politically motivated protest outside a newspaper office results in physical damage and intimidation. Politicians and media make threats against specific individuals. Days later, one of those...
View ArticleRolls Royce and Turkey: simply the best
Which brand at once make you think “quality” and “the best”? For me and many others it has to be “Rolls Royce”. So I was delighted to attend on 5 October the signing of a memorandum of understanding...
View ArticleExpression should be free
Without freedom of expression and the rule of law, no democracy can flourish. Both are also closely linked to stability and prosperity, as I wrote in my recent blog on Ahmet Hakan. So I was delighted...
View ArticleUK Export Finance: Providing Credit to Turkey
Everyone needs credit. Especially businesses. So it is important that UK Export Finance (UKEF), the oldest credit agency in the world, is over here and doing business in Turkey. In fact, UKEF has just...
View ArticleThe Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award-Türkiye
The student has achieved many immense things. But faced with the arrival of what some people call a VVIP, she is anxious. “What will I say?” she asks. “How is he like?” “Don’t worry,” we tell her....
View ArticleCrimes against journalists
Today, 2 November, is ‘International Day to end impunity for crimes against journalists.’ This really matters, for Turkey as for every country. As I wrote in my blog of 2 October about Ahmet Hakan,...
View ArticleA Match Made In Heaven? Turkish Airlines and VisitBritain
Take a top global airline. Add a top national tourist board. Result: an innovative global marketing partnership to attract more international visitors to Britain. On 20 October, VisitBritain and...
View ArticleBond is GREAT – why we care
A great-looking man steps out of a hotel window in Mexico City. A couple of hours later, he drives a classic Aston Martin DB5 away through the centre of London. In between come spectacular...
View ArticleCreating an environment for foreign investment: what “independent” means
I recently met a group of top Turkish business folk from the financial sector. They were an impressive group and a powerful advertisement for the talent Turkey has to offer. We discussed how best to...
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