Esen Uslu

Latest articles by Esen Uslu

His movement lingers on

Widely presented in the west as a champion of ‘moderate’ Islam, within Turkey he was condemned as a terrorist. Esen Uslu looks at the life and times of Fethullah Gülen

First stumble on a slippery road

Esen Uslu discusses the possibility of a Turkish ‘peace process’ with the PKK and how to assess the suicide attack on the TIA factory in Ankara. With the US election and ongoing kaleidoscopic regional power struggles we should expect the unexpected

Slippery road ahead

Kurdish politics are hugely complex. Not only do they involve a dizzy range of parties, factions and interests: there are the regional power players too. Esen Uslu looks at the ever changing alliances and positions

Delight and rising hopes

Esen Uslu highlights the economics and politics behind the huge defeat suffered by Erdoğan’s electoral bloc and the opportunities that have opened up

Meanwhile the economic war

Ending the Black Sea grain corridor has put Erdoğan’s government under intense diplomatic pressure, writes Esen Uslu

King Brinkman in action

Erdoğan has run out of room for manoeuvre. Facing a major financial crisis, he had to accept Sweden’s Nato membership and pivot away from Moscow. Esen Uslu thinks there will be consequences, however

Online Communist Forum, Sunday June 4 5pm

Small choice between rotten apples

Though Erdoğan deserved to lose, the opposition did not deserve to win. Esen Uslu makes a call for the left to unite on a principled basis

Triumph of rabid nationalism

Erdoğan looks set to win the second round and a third term as president. Esen Uslu probes the May 14 results and the expected outcome of May 28

Hanging on a knife’s edge

Though the opposition appears to have a narrow lead ahead of this month’s general election, the regime has plenty of dirty tricks up its sleeve. Esen Uslu reports on Erdoğan-style campaigning

Erdoğan’s power play

Esen Uslu investigates the vote for Finland’s membership and then stonewalling over Sweden’s

Looming defeat for Erdoğan

Esen Uslu looks ahead to the coming election that pits the centre-right against the incumbent Islamist‑nationalist right. But what about the Kurds and the fractured left?

Faults and mirrors

The huge loss of life seen in the Turkey-Syria earthquakes can be directly traced back to the state’s bungled response, endemic corruption and clampdowns on the self-activity of progressive youth, writes Esen Uslu

Ours but to build and die

The horrendous devastation and thirty thousand deaths caused by the Turkey-Syria earthquake is also a symptom of social decay. Esen Uslu reports

Low stunts, high politics

In the run-up to the May elections, the provocations of anti-Muslim rightwingers have been a godsend for Erdoğan, writes Esen Uslu

Talking peace, preparing for war

Syria is not only still wrecked, but still divided. Esen Uslu reports on the tripartite negotiations and their significance

Ending the dynamic stalemate?

Militarily the war is unwinnable, so politics are vital. Esen Uslu calls for Öcalan’s line to be continued

Social murder at Ereğli

The 41 deaths at the state-owned mine were not inevitable, says Esen Uslu. No, they were victims of social murder

Walking a tightrope

Erdoğan’s sell-by date in the international arena has long passed, says Esen Uslu. But be warned - that is exactly why he will be looking to stoke up conflicts

Justifying a century of oppression

The centenary marking the end of the Greco-Turkish war in 1922 is part of the never-ending quest to establish a ‘viable’ nation. Esen Uslu recalls the horrific and continuing atrocities

Looking for a green light

We may be seeing an economic meltdown, says Esen Uslu, but there is no mass opposition movement and Erdoğan knows how to create domestic and foreign diversions

Game of fortunes

Erdoğan is trying to divert attention from his shambolic handling of the economy by picking all manner of foreign fights. Esen Uslu reports

Inflation and pauperisation

Inflation is soaring, along with chauvinist rhetoric. Things are not looking good for Erdoğan and Erdoğanomics, reports Esen Uslu

A bazaar mentality

Why is Erdoğan blocking Finland and Sweden from Nato membership? It is all about carpets and donkey dung, writes Esen Uslu

Craving expansion and annexation

While the western media has been dominated by the Ukraine war, it is virtually silent about Erdoğan’s ongoing military operations in Iraq and Syria, writes Esen Uslu

Fuelling the cauldron

Esen Uslu reports on the short-termist cuts in interest rates and the resulting inflation and political turmoil

Storm clouds gather

Foreign policy has already been affected by the nosediving lira, but, argues, Esen Uslu, there is also the distinct possibility of mass protests over prices and wages

Persona non grata

There are mounting tensions with the west and a rocky economy. Turkey’s president is facing challenging times, writes Esen Uslu

Unnatural disaster

A combination of scorching heat, greed and a warmongering government has resulted in widespread fires. Esen Uslu reports from Turkey

Accumulation of misery

The economy is in deep trouble. Poverty, inequality and personal debt are increasing. Esen Uslu urges the left to do more than blame Erdoğan’s hapless government

Death of an activist

The campaign to outlaw the Kurdish opposition involves all sorts of dirty tricks. Esen Uslu looks behind the most recent killing

Coalition in turmoil

Mired in corruption, pursuing costly foreign adventures and a tanking economy, Esen Uslu looks at the shambles

Hauled before courts of injustice

Against the background of continuing tensions in Syria and Iraq, Esen Uslu reports on the legal assault on the internal Kurdish opposition

Erdoğan tries to cheat unpopularity

Withdrawing from the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence is part of a desperate attempt to stitch together a winning election bloc. Esen Uslu reports

Handcuffed gates

Students are resisting the academic cronies imposed on them by the Erdoğan regime. Esen Uslu reports

Invest one, harvest three

Neo-Ottoman dreams cannot overcome imperialist realities, writes Esen Uslu

Long held ambitions

What’s behind the blazing row between Macron and Erdoğan? Esen Uslu explains the strategic overreach

More blood and tears

Esen Uslu looks at the increasing problems of the Erdoğan regime as it engages in yet more foreign adventures

Hitching ‘Holy wisdom’ to his war chariot

Esen Uslu highlights the strategic considerations that lie behind Erdoğan’s reconversion of Hagia Sophia

Corona days and clipped wings

Esen Uslu looks at the regime’s failures at home and adventures abroad

Two-way mirror of shame

Erdoğan’s regime is playing with the lives of innocent victims to both its east and west. Esen Uslu describes the shambles.

A new adventure

Esen Uslu discusses Erdoğan’s expansionism in the eastern Mediterranean and its recent intervention into the Libyan civil war.

Bloodstained sliver of sand

Everyone can see that Erdoğan’s military adventure has added to the chaos in Syria. But should the left in Turkey tail the Kurdish movement? Esen Uslu gives his opinion.

Erdoğan gets green light

Despite Trump’s objections, writes Esen Uslu, Turkey has been set strict limits on its intervention in Syria.

Main enemy is at home ... and abroad

Erdoğan’s attempts to crush the Kurds face constant frustration, reports Esen Uslu.

Poised to invade Rojava

Esen Uslu examines Erdoğan’s plans for establishing protectorates in Kurdish areas in Syria and Iraq.

A vizier or a jester?

As Erdoğan plays the US off against Russia, Esen Uslu asks if his optimism is misplaced

Turkey’s arms industry is on a war footing - High-risk foreign adventures

Erdoğan has been engaging in lavish military spending despite the poor state of the economy, reports Esen Uslu

Major blow to Erdoğan

The repeat election for mayor of Istanbul was not just a case of déjà vu, writes Esen Uslu

What passes for democracy

Erdoğan is desperate to prevent the opposition from taking control in Istanbul, writes Esen Uslu

Expect the unexpected

A combination of working class discontent and Kurdish initiative produced a setback for Erdoğan, writes Esen Uslu. But that is not the end of the matter

Saudi hit is another godsend for Erdoğan

Esen Uslu looks at the cynical power play going on over the murdered Jamal Khashoggi

A vindictive and pitiless regime

The likes of Joe Robinson cannot be tolerated by Erdoğan, writes Esen Uslu

Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Esen Uslu looks at the rival state interests involved in the struggle to control Idlib

Nurtured by the state

What lies behind the current crisis? Esen Uslu looks at the peculiar form of capitalist development in Turkey

Shameless hypocrisy

The coming crisis will be both political and economic, predicts Esen Uslu

An elected sultan

Erdoğan’s ‘fair and square’ election victory will not result in stability, writes Esen Uslu

Result may hinge on Kurds

How will Erdoğan respond, asks Esen Uslu, if he cannot get a majority?

Erdoğan’s election gamble

If, as seems possible, the AKP is defeated, writes Esen Uslu, will the president go quietly?

Good enough for the east

Why has Erdoğan called snap elections? Esen Uslu looks at his regime’s latest ‘democratic’ machinations

The struggle continues

After the surrender of Afrin, Esen Uslu says that the Turkish left and Kurdish movement must unite in opposition to Erdoğan

Conflicts on many fronts

Despite the popularity of Turkish actions in Syria, Cyprus and the Aegean, the ruling AKP is forced to seek allies at home, writes Esen Uslu

Turkish armed forces meet determined resistance

‘Operation Olive Branch’ has given rise to increased repression and an intense outburst of chauvinism, writes Esen Uslu

Extending an ‘olive branch’

What lies behind the incursion into Syria? Esen Uslu looks behind the headlines

Unbridled state power

Esen Uslu reports on the first anniversary of the failed coup attempt

Forced into action

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu decided on his ‘Justice’ march in response to the 25-year jail sentence imposed on Enis Berberoğlu, one of the CHP MPs for Istanbul.

Kemalists seize the moment

‘Justice’ march wrong-footed the mainstream left, writes Esen Uslu

A route out of paralysis

Is Turkey ‘on the road to fascism’? Such talk is utterly counterproductive, argues Esen Uslu

‘No’ - it’s not over yet!

The AKP government is in crisis following the rigged referendum. Esen Uslu reports

A watermen’s fight

Esen Uslu reports on the pandemonium created by Erdoğan in the run-up to next month’s referendum

All or nothing

Erdoğan is going for bust in an attempt to cling onto power, writes Esen Uslu

Economics of the madhouse

Despite the construction boom, things are not boding well for Erdoğan, writes Esen Uslu

Danger at home and abroad

War could be the AKP’s last card, writes Esen Uslu

Internal and external onslaught

Esen Uslu reports on the Erdoğan regime’s ongoing oppression, its Kurdish war and involvement in Syria

No let-up in purge

A grand national coalition is part of Erdoğan’s ‘godsent opportunity’, writes Esen Uslu

Erdoğan’s counter-coup coup

While a bloody military intervention has been defeated, that in itself is no reason to cheer, writes Esen Uslu

Bleak prospects for democracy

The latest atrocity once more draws attention to the fact that Turkey is at war, writes Esen Uslu

Stumbling towards collapse

In light of the latest moves against the media, Esen Uslu analyses the contending forces within the state apparatus

Principals and proxies

Ankara’s regional influence is under threat, writes Esen Uslu

Danger of escalation

Has Ankara overextended itself? Esen Uslu looks at the possible repercussions of the downing of the Russian Sukhoi 24

Rigged election of a sham democracy

Esen Uslu charts the AKP’s growing authoritarianism and the left’s disappointment

Blood on Erdoğan’s hands

The message delivered by the Ankara bombers is that this is just the beginning, writes Esen Uslu

Wrecking the peace process

Under the pretext of joining in the fight against IS, writes Esen Uslu, the Turkish state has unleashed a ferocious assault on the PKK

Solidarity targeted by IS bomber

The Suruç massacre marks a change in Turkish politics, writes Esen Uslu

Yellow union given the boot

Car workers say, ‘Enough is enough’. Esen Uslu reports on the mood of optimism

A hundred years of denial

Esen Uslu reports on the centenary of the Armenian genocide

A war that nobody wants to mention

No-one in Turkey wants to celebrate what happened in 1914-18, writes Esen Uslu. But when it comes to the glory days of the Ottoman empire things are different

Kurds left in limbo

The US has begun its bombing campaign in Syria

Turkey: No laughing matter

Amidst the gathering storms the deputy prime minister provides some light relief. Esen Uslu reports

Lack of democracy, lack of safety

Soma exposes the double brutality of Turkey’s crony capitalism, writes Esen Uslu