Gouya Roshan From Darkness to Light

Erdoğan; A Dictatorship Through the Ballot Box Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is no longer just a president; he has become a symbol of the concentration of power in Turkey. Many Turkish citizens, especially a large part of the political opposition, journalists, academics, civil rights activists, and artists, consider him a figure with authoritarian tendencies, even a dictator. On the other hand, there is still a small group of Turks who see him as a successful statesman. However, what matters is not only his actions, but also his slogans. Dictatorship does not only mean the absence of elections; it begins when elections can no longer control power. When critical media outlets are silenced, journalists are imprisoned, opposition figures are put on trial, and the judiciary loses its independence, one can no longer speak of democracy simply because elections are held. Years ago, Erdoğan came to power with promises of freedom, reform, and justice, but gradually concentrated power in his own hands. T...

Saudi Arabia: Between the Name of God and the Politics of Power  (Part Two ) Saudi Arabia presents itself as the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques, and its national flag bears sacred words. But when a state identifies itself in the name of religion and the sacred, people naturally expect more from it than from an ordinary government. Such a state is judged not only by its economy, military strength, or foreign policy, but also by its moral principles and humanitarian conduct. My question is this:  How can a government that places the name of God at the highest symbolic position allow its policies to contribute to the suffering of hundreds of thousands of innocent people? The war in Yemen has been one of the greatest moral tests of Saudi Arabia's policies. Since 2015, the Saudi-led coalition's military intervention in Yemen—a poor and vulnerable country—has resulted in the deaths of thousands and has pushed millions into hunger, disease, and displacement. The children who died i...

Saudi Arabia: Between the Name of God and the Politics of Power (Part 1) Saudi Arabia, a country whose historical legitimacy has been built upon the unity of religion and the state, is currently experiencing one of the most complex phases of its modern history. While it presents itself as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, it is simultaneously redefining its role within the international system, the global economy, and regional relations. This duality raises a fundamental question for observers: Is politics in Saudi Arabia still serving religion, or has religion become an instrument for preserving political power? Over recent decades, religion has been not only a part of Saudi Arabia’s national identity but also a cornerstone of the state's legitimacy. However, the broad social and economic reforms of recent years—from expanding the tourism and entertainment sectors to limiting the influence of religious institutions—suggest that the government's priorities are changing. Th...