OCTOBER 17-23, 2017

THO HOSTS PANEL ON KRG INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM AND REGIONAL REALITIES On October 18 , THO hosted a panel discussion at the National Press Club on “The KRG Independence Referendum and Regional Realities”. During the event, the audience heard from Amb. Lukman Faily (former Iraqi Ambassador to the U.S.), Amb. James Jeffrey (former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Iraq; Distinguished Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy), and Mr. Arshad Al-Salihi (Iraqi Turkmen Front leader and member of the Iraqi Parliament). To read the summary of the event as well as a statement from Mr. Al-Salihi, visit THO’s website .

U.S.-TURKEY NEWS

U.S. and Turkey continue talks as visa crisis remains unsolved

Diplomats working to ease US-Turkey tensions Turkey's talks with U.S. on visa crisis going in 'good direction', Erdogan spokesman says US eases Turkey visa applications in medical and humanitarian emergencies U.S.-Turkey visa standoff disrupts business and tourism

Banner of PKK leader in Raqqa adds to U.S.-Turkey tension

Kurdish fighters raise flag of PKK leader in centre of Raqqa Turkey says Kurdish militant banner in Raqqa shows U.S. sided with terrorists Jailed PKK leader not worthy of respect: US

Turkey denies reports of U.S. probe into banks over Iran sanctions

Turkey's banks could face billions in U.S. fines for violating Iran sanctions Turkey regulators say no U.S. probe into banks, denying reports Money laundering trial could further chill already tense US-Turkish relations Turkish markets shaken by unsubstantiated US probe report

Additional news

Turkey says US bound by 1979 treaty to extradite Gulen Helsinki Commission urges Turkish president to lift state of emergency US giant to open 11 more hotels across Turkey in 3 years Pentagon says US has no intentions of withdrawing from Incirlik Air Base American energy giant signs agreement with Turkish telecommunication company Turkish energy firm to form partnership with US solar panel manufacturer

OTHER NEWS

Security

Hostility toward militants grows in Idlib as Turkey deploys troops Islamic State defeated in its Syrian capital Raqqa Intel official says Turkish military base was 'target' of Somalia truck bomb Eighteen injured in bomb attack on police vehicle in Turkey's Mersin province Turkish army engages in northern Iraq for first time in nine years

Humanitarian Aid

Bangladesh urges Turkey to build 100,000 more shelters for the Rohingya Turkey collects $21 million for Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar Somalia calls for blood donations after bombing, Turkey sends doctors 40 Somalis injured in truck bombing airlifted to Turkey

Economy

World Bank upgrades Turkey’s growth forecast Turkey wealth fund shows signs of life as it seeks foreign loan Half of women in Turkish labor force unregistered ODTU Teknokent's New Businesses New Ideas program held Syrian businesses in Turkey provide 100,000 jobs

Energy

Iraq's oil exports via Turkey dwindle as Kirkuk fields stay shut Rosatom's Turkish unit says gets initial permission for Akkuyu nuclear plant EBRD approves $500M of financing for TANAP

Education

School for Syrian orphan girls opens in Turkey’s Hatay International team, including 14 Turkish scientists, discover ring around dwarf planet Haumea Education to get lion’s share of Turkey’s 2018 budget, defense to see big boost: Minister Syrian children improve Turkish skills, learn about culture in new project

Technology

Turkey builds anti-drone system for civilian use       Turkey eyes collaboration with Qatar in science and technology Turkey carries out first test firing of Atmaca anti-ship missile Turkish firms to cooperate in industrial digitalization

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

THE LATEST FROM THO

THO president pens op-ed on importance of U.S.-Turkey relationship

In his latest op-ed, “ The US-Turkey Relationship is Facing a Major Test ”, THO President Ali Cinar argues that “the U.S.-Turkey relationship is strong enough to overcome” difficult periods like the visa crisis.

Factsheet on Turkey's economy in 2017

The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook has increased Turkey’s projected 2017 economic growth to 5.1%.  To learn more about Turkey’s economic developments in 2017, check out THO’s latest factsheet, “ Turkey’s Economy in 2017: A Snapshot ”.

Spotlight on Turkey's startup scene

This week, investors, entrepreneurs, and startups from more than 65 countries are exploring exciting new opportunities at Startup Istanbul . To learn more about Turkey’s innovation ecosystem, check out THO’s issue brief by Alexander Snow, “ Turkey’s Technology Startups: U.S.-Turkey Collaboration in a Growing Ecosystem ”.

WHAT WE'RE READING

How to fix U.S.-Turkey relations – Kemal Kirisci, The New York Times

Here's how to pull Turkey back from the brink – James Stavridis, Bloomberg

U.S.-Turkey visa suspension could affect prospective SU students – Gabe Stern, The Daily Orange

Visa service suspension threatens Turkish scholars – Sonia Kim, The Harvard Crimson

What is at stake for Turkey in Somalia? – Sinem Cengiz, Arab News

Turkey’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: Startups for growth – Hansin Dogan, Hurriyet Daily News

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