Erdogan is very keen to promote Islamic banking in Turkey, it's part of efforts to turn Istanbul into a financial hub, and also Erdogan's aversion to interest rates, which he views as usually prohibited by Islam.

Fadi Hakura

Categorized in : Business

Erdogan cleverly opted for a security focused campaign, appealing to conservative voters' desire for security, mHP's Bahceli - or 'Mr. No' - simply showed his was a party of protest.

Whether it is to combat (ISIS) in northern Syria or to stem the flow of Syrian refugees, Turkey is actually paramount to Europe's immediate strategic concerns, but this election does not provide a positive framework for enhancing the relationship between Turkey and the EU.

There's very little prospect at present for the resumption of peace efforts between the Turkish government and the PKK.

That's unlikely to change any time soon. by Fadi Hakura

That's unlikely to change any time soon.

Turkey's strategic geography dictates that its allies continue giving it some leeway ... People simply can't afford to ignore Turkey, whatever the policies of President Erdogan.