Articles and analysis

Parliament v Constitutional Court in Turkey

By Baris Gulmez, Research Associate, UK Defence Forum and Turkey Correspondent

Introduction

On June 5th 2008 the Turkish Constitutional Court overturned a law which Parliament had passed by a large majority to change some of the rules underpinning the secular state. In particular this would allow women to wear Islamic-style hijabs in universities (the so called "Turban Decision "). Some claim this is a prelude to allowing hijabs in Government buildings – something the President's hijab wearing wife appears to advocate.

An efficient and effective NATO

Extracts from a speech delivered by Rt Hon Des Browne MP,UK Secretary of State for Defence at the Twenty-Fifth International Workshop on Global Security: An Efficient and Effective NATO on 20 June 2008.

Need for International Institutional Reform

We have been well-served by the institutions founded shortly after the end of the Second World War. The immediate post-war years spawned a remarkable new era in co-operation – with the foundation of the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, NATO and others.

The oil crisis - desperate measures

by Dr Ariel Cohen

U.S. President George W. Bush and Senator John McCain have called for an expansion of U.S. domestic oil drilling to Alaska, federal lands and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off the U.S. East and West coasts. This could not be more timely, if only it was realistic.

The biggest roadblock on the way to more U.S.-produced oil is the Democratic majority in the Congress and its fellow travelers. Oil-rich rulers, from King Abdullah I of Saudi Arabia, to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Hugo Chavez are probably opening champagne.

Articles and analysis

Parliament v Constitutional Court in Turkey

An efficient and effective NATO

The oil crisis - desperate measures

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