Promises to reform Turkey’s judiciary and economy, as well as pledges to address democratic shortfalls, have come as Ankara looks to recalibrate its relationship with a new resident in the White House when Joe Biden, the president-elect takes office in January.
Since the resignation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s finance minister and son-in-law earlier this month, senior government figures have signalled a switch in the approach to the economy and other areas where Turkey has come under sustained international criticism.
“We are launching a brand new mobilisation in the economy, judiciary and democracy,” the president told a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) at the weekend, adding: “The message to the world is extremely important.”
Many see these so-far unspecified reforms in light of Joe Biden’s victory in the US presidential race.
While Mr Erdogan has mostly had a good relationship with President Donald Trump, Mr Biden is regarded in Ankara as a potentially much trickier counterpart.
Although Mr Trump hit Turkey with sanctions two years ago over the jailing of an American pastor, he has generally behaved as a friend to Mr Erdogan.
Mr Trump has resisted calls from the US Congress for sanctions to be imposed over Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missiles last year and has reportedly tried to intervene in the prosecution of Turkey’s state-run Halkbank over alleged breaches of sanctions on Iran.
“I get along with him and he listens,” Mr Trump said in September of his relationship with the Turkish leader.
Mr Biden, however, has criticised Turkey’s slide away from the rule of law and democratic practices. In an interview last December, which was revived in Turkey’s pro-government media over the summer, he called Mr Erdogan an “autocrat” and pledged support to Turkey’s opposition.
Edward Stafford, a former US diplomat who served in Ankara, said human rights would be a “more prominent” feature of Mr Biden’s foreign policy.
“In the near future, we can expect members of Biden’s administration to speak out in defence of a free press, of peaceful assembly, association and for equal rights for racial, ethnic and social minorities,” he said.
A sign of Turkey exploring ways to connect with Mr Biden’s team came in reports this week that Turkish representatives had met lobbyists promising access to the new administration.
According to Yasar Yakis, a founding member of the AKP and a former foreign minister, the era of Mr Erdogan’s easy access to the White House is “coming to a close.”
Turkey’s former finance minister, Berat Albayrak, had played a prominent role in Ankara’s back-channel diplomacy in Washington through his friendship with Jared Kushner, Mr Trump’s adviser and another presidential son-in-law.
However, common interests between the two countries would mean seeking a compromise.
“Whether Washington likes it or not, Ankara is an important player in the Middle East,” Mr Yakis said. “Thus, despite the incoming Biden administration’s misgivings about Erdogan, the two countries will probably find common ground to protect their reciprocal interests.”
In addition to an economic approach seemingly designed to entice foreign investors and placate international markets, the promised reforms also hint at tackling concerns about the rule of law.
Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul last week suggested a review of pre-trial detention, a practice that has seen thousands of government opponents jailed.
Meanwhile, a handful of government-supporting newspaper columnists this week called for the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala and writer Ahmet Altan, two of Turkey’s most prominent prisoners held on charges widely regarded as politically motivated.
As well as having an eye to developments in the US, Mr Erdogan’s reforms are also viewed as a way of soothing his own supporters’ concerns, particularly over the economy.
The new team heading the economy – Mr Albayrak’s November 8 resignation as finance minister followed the sacking of the central bank governor a day earlier – have said they will focus on tackling an inflation rate of nearly 12 per cent.
This was evidenced on Thursday when the bank announced a hike in interest rates to 15 per cent, a swivel away from the unorthodox economic mantra espoused by Mr Erdogan, and implemented by Mr Albayrak, that high interest rates lead to inflation.
Personnel changes at the top of the economic pyramid came amid reports that AKP members and even MPs disillusioned with the management of the economy were considering defecting to parties recently established by former AKP ministers.
The appointment of Lutfi Elvan, an ex-minister who has not held office for more than two years, to the finance ministry was a sign that “the AKP is aware of the discomfort, because of Albayrak, within the party and the possibility some of the deputies might shift,” according to journalist Murat Yetkin.
However, attempts to burnish the government’s image, both in Washington and at home, have created fresh doubts.
Mehmet Ihsan Arslan, a close adviser to Mr Erdogan who is well connected in Washington, told BBC Turkish that reforms suggested “a problem with our policies to date. It’s a confession.”
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS
England v New Zealand
(Saturday, 12pm UAE)
Wales v South Africa
(Sunday, 12pm, UAE)
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
more from Janine di Giovanni
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden | US$45,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Tabarak, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $175,000 (Turf) | 3,200m
Winner: Dubhe, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Estihdaaf, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
8.15pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Nordic Lights, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 | $450,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm: Handicap | $175,000 (T) | 1,200m
Winner: Mazzini, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
10pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,400m.
Winner: Mubtasim, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
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'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
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