Feathered fightclubs spur outrage Jul 30, 2008
A police sting in January caught 28 people in the Banaz area of Usak having a "Canary and Rooster Beauty Show" in a dilapidated old flour factory. Although some of the men tried to escape the police, others stuck to their story, "We are the Banaz Animal Protection League and this is an organized animal beauty show. We are displaying stud canaries and roosters here, the best ones get a first prize award and the owners are able to sell them to prospective clients. The gendarme are checking for... (Asia Times Online)
Istanbul attacks Jul 29, 2008
Sedat Laciner, Usak think tank ... "If the country is out of control with no proper governance, if bombs explode here and there, then it's impossible to know what might happen," mused Sedat Laciner of the think tank Usak. (BBC News)
Troop withdrawal baffles Turks Mar 1, 2008
"Within the limited scope of this operation, this is a success story," believes Sedat Laciner, the director of the Ankara-based think tank, the International Strategic Research Organisation (USAK). "But there will be major public disappointment that the incursion did not last as long as people thought. It's been badly managed. People will say the US gives orders and we obey. That might not be the truth, but it's the perception.". (BBC News -- Europe)
Turkey launches incursion into Iraq Feb 24, 2008
Sedat Laciner, president of International Strategic Research Organization (USAK), was quoted as saying that "There are currently discussions taking place between Turkish and U.S. officials on the land operation.". Editor: Wang Yan. (Xinhuanet, China)
Close encountersof the Turkish kind Oct 31, 2007
By June 13 in the same year, Sabah newspaper was leading with the headline "Everyone searching for UFOs" in a story that detailed how in Usak locals had stoned an alien, in Gaziantep the police had videoed a UFO and that people all over the country were phoning in reports of strange occurrences to their local jandarma (constabulary). The reports continued in a slightly hysterical atmosphere well into 2002 and included an event in Gebze on May 31, 2002 where a UFO was reported circling with... (Asia Times Online)
Changing fortunesSecond time lucky for Turkish presidential hopeful Abdullah Gul? Aug 20, 2007
"Turkey has too much to lose these days to risk a coup. It's too tied into global markets - and the Turkish people would not support it," believes analyst Sedat Laciner of USAK Strategic Research Organisation. "The generals will not be happy, but they will play a wait-and-see game. They'll watch carefully and wait for Gul to make a mistake. And in the meantime they'll make life very awkward for him and the AKP.". (BBC News -- Europe)
Besiktas captures Turkey Cup in extra time May 10, 2007
Brazilian striker Mert Nobre failed to finish a promising attack by the Istanbul side in the 30th minute and 10 minutes later his long-range shot was easily stopped by Erciyes keeper Orkun Usak. Despite making a series of good saves, Orkun could do little to stop Bobo's extra-time header. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Soccer)
'Britain is Police State for Muslims' Feb 9, 2007
JTW News - 'Britain is Police State for Muslims. users online at Turkish Weekly. (Journal of Turkish Weekly)
