Crisis of the Turkish Model and Its Impacts on Turkey-EU Relationship

The Turkish model, which has had the power of example, was beset with crises in recent years. The increasingly authoritarianization of Erdo^an, lasting economic stall and unsolved diplomacy dilemma have largely undermined dynamics of the Turkish model. Faded democracy coupled with stalled economy and diplomatic dilemma, led to the decline and even crisis of the Turkish model. Crisis of the model has impacts on Turkey＇s international influence and its accession to the EU as well. The foundation of the bilateral relationship between Turkey and the EU has been negatively influenced internally and their contradictions have also been intensified by crises such as refugees externally. Currently, the relationship between Turkey and the EU is at the crossroad of adjustments and reconstructions.

A Relational Sociological Study on the Effects of Uncertainties in the Case of Influenza in Turkey

Health issues, especially global health issues, are important subjects of study for many sociologists. For example, the spread of influenza as a pandemic affects a large number of people and their emotions in terms of fear, becoming a social problem instead of a psychological issue. Because of uncertainties, what is happening and what people should do during global threats is not clear for many people generally and during pandemics specifically. The primary aim of this paper is to show the construction process of fear and risk by conducting a systematic review of former studies about the influenza that occurred in Turkey during the last 10 years. It is assumed that a combination of relational sociology and the sociology of disaster and development will provide an appropriate theoretical framework. In other words, H. White and his uncertainty typology along with A.E. Collins’ classification are both used to define the construction process of fear as a culture, starting with uncertainty and moving to alienation and finally normalization. Findings from this study, which are supported by N. Elias’ and U. Beck’s methodological considerations, revealed that uncertainties may lead to negative consequences, such as alienation. Due to conflicting information, people find themselves in a dilemma and they stop following norms and rules in terms of normlessness. Normlessness, as a sub-division of alienation along with meaningless, might result in negative actions, such as not getting vaccinated. Liminality, turning points and footing are also used to describe the construction process of fear and risk. Results also showed that over a 10-year period many things are normalized and people no longer panic as easily.

Turkey and the Great Power Game

Turkey,as a major power in the Middle East,which competes,cooperates,and interacts with major powers in the region,is a“player”in shaping the Middle East pattern.However,compared with other world powers,such as the United States and Russia,Turkey has an obvious disadvantage in comprehensive national strength,so it is also a“chess piece”in the geopolitical game of the Middle East.Although the United States and Turkey are both members of North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO),the United States’actions on the Gülen and Kurdish issues have reduced Turkey’s trust in the United States.On the one hand,Erdogan made a firm stance to defend the secular state,suppressing the military;on the other hand,he promoted some Islamization measures in the political and social life,in order to consolidate his authority.In the triangle of U.S.-Russian-Turkish relations,Turkey pursued a pragmatic policy and played a game with the United States and Russia on the Syrian issue.

Securitization and De-securitization􀋖Turkey-Syria Relations since the Syrian Crisis

The article focuses on the nature of the relations between Turkey and Syria during the Syrian crisis.Although the relationship between Turkey and Syria had undergone some ups and downs in the last several years,both countries tried their best to improve their economic,political,cultural,and diplomatic relations.Indeed,Turkey introduced its model,“Moderate Islamic ideologies”,through Syria in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA).The“Arab Spring”of 2011 was a very good opportunity for Turkey to introduce its democratic Islamic dogmas which were welcomed by the Muslim Brotherhood leaders in some Arab Countries.But,the President of Syria,Bashar Al Assad,and his allies were very critical of Turkey’s policy.Thus,the article mainly explores the role of Turkey in Syria’s internal affairs,in particular,Erdogan’s policy towards Syrian crises.Besides,it examines Turkey’s domestic challenges and how Turkey has presented itself as a big supporter of the Arab Spring in the MENA.However,the article has found out that the current policies of Turkey towards the Syrian crisis are critical within the Middle East region.In other words,the conflicts and the wars against the Islamic State(ISIS)and the Kurdistan Workers’Party(PKK)weakened the bilateral relations.The Syrian refugees and the PKK are posing overwhelming challenges to Turkey’s economy and internal security.

Football Diplomacy

This research ＂Football Diplomacy＂ represents a political activity implemented in the Caucasian policy of Turkey in one special direction, in particular it addresses settlement of relations broken offwith the Republic of Armenia in the early 1990s. The author of the submitted political project is the President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul together with the Foreign Minister by that time-Ahmet Davutoglu. By his direct instruction, the Turkish diplomacy developed one more plan known under the name of ＂Football Diplomacy＂ by 2009. Despite the fact that high-rank officials of both countries were engaged in implementation of this plan and works necessary for consolidation of public opinion were carried out in both countries, the process was suspended anyway and principal changes have not occurred in bilateral relations until now.

The Modeling of Weather Conditions and Wind Power in Cities of Western Black Sea Region by Using Linear Regression Method

In this study, weather condition data such as the monthly average temperature, relative moisture, wind speed, pressure and the calculated wind power values of Zonguldak, Sinop, Dtizce, Bartm, Kastamonu, Bolu and Karabi^k cities located in western Black Sea region were examined for 10 year period （2001-2011）. In the modeling of the weather conditions, linear regression analysis was used and the effect of temperature, relative moisture and pressure on wind speed was researched by non-linear regression method. Besides, in this study, the effect of roughness coefficient in cities of western Black Sea region was also taken into consideration and the wind power potentials in 10 m, 25 m and 50 m altitude were researched in detail with the help of WASP （Wind Atlas Analysis and Application） program. In the light of the values obtained by developed models and weather condition data, it was observed that some cities in the western Black Sea region have wind power potential with their effects on environment and energy.