Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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A Turkish flag flutters near a burning barricade during clashes in Taksim square in Istanbul, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Hundreds of police in riot gear forced through barricades in Istanbul’s central Taksim Square early Tuesday, pushing many of the protesters who had occupied the square for more than a week into a nearby park. (AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis)

Opinion: The semiotics of the Taksim Square protests

by Ali Ibrahim | Jun 12, 2013 | Opinion

The Middle East is pregnant with surprises, and many incidents have taken place without warning, similar to how volcanoes and earthquakes erupt. A series of social and political explosions have shaken several Arab republics since 2011, to the confusion of political...

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A man walks before a graffiti sign of the Justice and Development Party while protestors dance in a tent at Gundogdu square on June 8, 2013. (AFP PHOTO/OZAN KOSE)

Turkey’s PM to convene party leadership

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jun 8, 2013 | World

Istanbul, AP—Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan prepared to convene his party leadership Saturday as anti-government protests enter their ninth day, with thousands of people still occupying Istanbul’s central Taksim Square. Erdoğan, who has said the protests...

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Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets his supporters following his arrival after a four day trip to North African countries at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, early 07 June 2013. (EPA Photo/KAYHAN)

Turkish PM cheered in show of strength as protests go on

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jun 7, 2013 | World

Istanbul, Reuters—Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan flew back to a Turkey rocked by days of anti-government unrest on Friday and declared before a sea of flag-waving supporters at Istanbul airport: “These protests must end immediately.” “No power but...

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Protesters shout anti-government slogans during a demonstration at Taksim Square in central Istanbul June 3, 2013. (REUTERS/Osman Orsal)

Erdogan maintains hard stance on protests

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jun 3, 2013 | World

Ankara, AP—Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday again dismissed street protests against his rule as actions organized by extremists, described them as a temporary blip and angrily rejected comparisons with the Arab Spring uprisings. Appearing...

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A municipal worker cleans streets in front of a damaged shop after clashes between protesters and riot police during a rally against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, in Istanbul, Turkey, 02 June 2013

Calm on Turkish streets after days of fierce protests

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jun 2, 2013 | World

Istanbul/Ankara, Reuters—Shopkeepers and municipal workers began cleaning the streets of Istanbul and Ankara on Sunday after the fiercest anti-government demonstrations in years. Pockets of die-hard demonstrators lit bonfires and scuffled with police overnight but the...