What Erdogan Is Doing and Why

[Mr. M]

Since the regime change, the Russians have fully evacuated Syria, even leaving their coveted Navy Base. The Turkish Army remains entrenched in Northern Syria and has been "carving out" a secure presence their and act as a primary influence.

This is why President Erdogan arrested the Mayor of Istanbul. The presence of the Turkish Army in Northern Syria is a direct threat to the Kurds of the region. Mayor Imamoglu is ethnic Kurd. He could not allow that strong of a dissenting voice to be free. This threat from Turkey extends to the citizens of his own country, as eastern Turkey is a Kurdish region. They have essentially established a southern front.

This could be a serious underestimation of how this affects the Kurdish militias. There are three major Kurdish militias in the region the last I investigated, including northwest Iraq of course. So prophetically significant.

Here is some information from a Research Institute that covers the region.

Syria - Turkish Presence in Military Airports and Aerial Friction with Israel

 

[John G.]

Mayor Imamoglu is ethnic Kurd.

As far as I know, he was born in the Black Sea region, near Trabzon (Trapezus), not Kurdistan.

 

[Mr. M]

As far as I know, he was born in the Black Sea region, near Trabzon (Trapezus), not Kurdistan.

In what way are you using the term "Kurdistan"?

 

[Bob Crowley]

Unfortunately there may be some substance to the allegations of corruption even if he is popular.

Istanbul mayor entangled in web of corruption allegations

More details surface in the investigation of Istanbul's mayor and his alleged cohorts over rampant corruption at the municipality as media reports...

www.dailysabah.com

We had a case here of a local mayor being jailed for various charges, despite being popular and having served as mayor for 13 years.

Paul Pisasale - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

He was the mayor of Ipswich which is a town just west of Brisbane.

Despite the corruption allegations he received several public awards.

Honors and other awards​

In 2010, Pisasale was awarded the title of "Queensland Local Hero" by the National Australia Day Council.

2012 saw Pisasale receive the Queensland Civil Justice Award for going beyond the call of duty in the 2011 floods.

In 2013, he was also awarded a Life Sciences award for championing master-planned communities, job creation, protection of the environment and being an advocate for education by Life Sciences Queensland, an industry-led organisation which works with government and industry.

If he'd been running against an autocratic prime minister, there may have been rallies on the street in his defence even if he'd been arrested.

 

[John G.]

In what way are you using the term "Kurdistan"?

I meant the south-east of present-day Turkey.
Imamoglu is from the north - biblical Pontus.

 

[Laodicean60]

Nice website. Turkey is in NATO and is thinking about joining BRICS; they are playing both sides. Maybe we need a NATO realignment.

 

[Mr. M]

I meant the south-east of present-day Turkey.
Imamoglu is from the north - biblical Pontus.

As far as I know, he was born in the Black Sea region, near Trabzon (Trapezus), not Kurdistan.

You are correct, and thanks for making the connection to biblical Pontus.
I currently have an Airbnb guest from Istanbul and with care we have been discussing politics there. He is Kurdish, and when I told him about the street protests, I was under the impression that the Mayor was also. Actually, his party has an alliance with the PKK, and they were on the verge of negotiating a treaty, and Imanoglu is critical to that success.
Ethnicity and allegations aside, the action is more than just judiciary. It is a move against the Kurds, whom Erdogan has a long history of strife, and should become more clear after Ramadan what Turkey and Syria have planned.

What’s behind Erdoğan’s calculated shift on Kurds and its potential consequences

Erdoğan’s outreach to Kurdish forces may signal peace — or a bid to secure support for extending his presidency by fracturing the opposition’s coalition.

theconversation.com

Syria - Turkish Presence in Military Airports and Aerial Friction with Israel

 

[Mr. M]

As far as I know, he was born in the Black Sea region, near Trabzon (Trapezus), not Kurdistan.

BTW, Kurdistan is a name that has been floated for an independent Kurdish nation. From eastern Turkey, as you mentioned, northern Syria, NW Iraq and northern Iran. A UN resolution failed twice in the 20th century.