Turkey is sometimes a very strange country. Prior to the local elections, there was an overwhelming consensus that the foreign policy followed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) was successful.

President Obama's visit to Turkey next month promises to be a historic event in recent Turkish-American relations. There is no doubt that even the news of the visit has already sparked such an atmosphere that the visit will be registered in the annals as an important step in "rebuilding the strategic partnership with Turkey." This is a phrase I borrowed from the Obama-Biden policy platform on Europe published before the election. 

Since Alexandros Grigoropoulos was killed by Greek riot police on Dec. 6 the world has been witnessing what Greek commentators have dubbed the worst riots since World War II.

When Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan lashed out against a particular media group in recent months, issues such as media ethics, reporting and conflict of interest once again took the spotlight.