Turkey

Translated from Milliyet (Turkey) Updated

Turkey has approximately two trillion cubic meters of shale gas reserves that can meet national demands for 40-50 years. Taking its cue from US shale gas production, the Turkish Petroleum Corporation is Gazdas is planning to invest $300 million in infrastructure to extract the natural gas.	(REUTERS/Umit Bektas)
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Article by Dogan Heper Updated

Turkey once dreamed of creating a new Ottoman empire. However, these dreams were shattered with the bankruptcy of Turkish foreign policy, writes Dogan Heper. Now, Israel is able to insult Turkey and be protected by a NATO radar shield from within its borders, he says, and this shows how pathetic Ankara has become.	(REUTERS/Osman Orsal)
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Article by Updated

Diplomatic efforts regarding the Syrian crisis are gaining momentum, writes Semih Idiz, pointing out that the Turkish Prime Minister’s visit to Tehran coincides with the Arab League summit in Baghdad. He is surely to meet resistance after having previously accused Tehran of supporting Bashar al-Assad, with whom Turkey has broken all ties.	(REUTERS/Osman Orsal)
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Article by Semih Idiz Updated

Semih Idiz argues that although currently marginalized, Turkey may regain its role as a mediator for the Middle East. Arab countries facing battles along religious-secular, ethnic-national and military-civilian lines will eventually look to Turkey for guidance. However, the ability to play this role depends on Turkey’s continued regional neutrality.	(REUTERS/Murad Sezer)
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Article by Suleyman Yasar Updated

Turkey has been on a US blacklist of countries still importing Iranian oil despite sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program. Food exports to Iran are not banned, but Turkey’s exports to the country depend on its imports of Iranian oil. The US is trying to expand its own food exports to Iran, which has left Turks angry about what they perceive as a double standard.	(REUTERS/Murad Sezer)
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Article by Abdurrahman Yildirim Updated

In two recent Turkish stock operations, Citibank reduced its 20% stake in Turkey’s AKbank to 10%, and ArcelorMittal sold 12.5% of its 25% stake in Erdemir, the steel giant. While the simultaneous timing of these sales may seem suspicious, Abdurrahman Yildirim rejects conspiracy theories and sees these developments as positive in the long run.	(REUTERS/Murad Sezer)
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Article by Suleyman Yasar Updated

Critics of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s policy of managing the Turkish economy without the IMF were proven wrong as Turkey experienced relatively high economic growth in 2011, argues Suleyman Yasar. However, despite a fall in unemployment and an increase in exports, Turkey still faces unfavorable foreign trade terms.	(REUTERS/Murad Sezer)
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Article by Lale Kemal Updated

The Turkish government plans to privatize a large portion of the nation's defense industry and increase efficiency through new competitive bidding processes. Lale Kemal reports that the plan, which could force liquidation of firms that fail to compete, faces certain opposition from the military.	(REUTERS/Umit Bektas)
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Article by Hasan Ersel Updated

Turkey must pursue increased cooperation between the state and the private sector to expand its markets in the Arab world. While Turkish-Arab economic relations were not at desired levels before, political and economic instability in the region is hampering the relationship, argues Hasan Ersel.	(REUTERS/Murad Sezer)
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Translated from Haberturk (Turkey) Updated

China's Chery Automotive Group said it will invest in Turkey over the next five years, after a Turkish investment incentive plan attracted the company's attention. The partnership will provide thousands of jobs for Turks and could lead to the first Turkish-made car.	(REUTERS/Aly Song)
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