Hello again! Today is Monday, November 18.Trump has announced his cabinet picks at a rapid pace, rewarding loyalty over experience. The selections signal a hawkish stance against China and Iran. They also suggest unwavering—if not increased—support for Israel. Trump has also reiterated his intentions to bring the war in Ukraine to an end.In Turkey, Erdoğan's AK Party continues its practice of appointing trustees ("kayyums") to replace mayors accused of terrorism links, a controversial move widely criticized by the opposition. At the same time, corruption charges mount against Istanbul and Ankara mayors, both seen as potential rivals to Erdoğan. Opposition municipalities face financial pressure from the central government, further limiting their operations.A new type of environmental disaster affecting a different region of the world has featured in most, if not all past issues of this weekly newsletter. As expected, climate dominates discussions at the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan and the G20 summit kicking off today in Brazil. However, meaningful action appears elusive, especially as the world anticipates another Trump term.You will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.Here are the headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin:🇺🇸 Biden allows use of American missiles to hit Moscow 🧑‍⚖️ ICC chief prosecutor under investigation 🇨🇳 China's new megaport in Latin America🎵 Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1E8ESYn4jJARJZ?si=deb8b469f0f74b5a" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Ain't No Sunshine Radio</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp&nbsp;

This newsletter offers a comprehensive overview of global events from each continent, curated from diverse international media sources. On Mondays, you will receive Aposto World in your inbox and we will give you only the relevant information on just the important stuff, from an Istanbul perspective.

Global news, every Monday, from an Istanbul perspective.

Aposto World

Trump makes cabinet picks. Potential escalation between Russia and the US as Kyiv gets the go-ahead. ICC chief prosecutor under investigation. Hezbollah spokesperson killed. China makes LatAm gains. G20, APEC, COP29 summits. 

🌒 Loyalists rewarded, municipalities threatened

Hello again! Today is Monday, November 11.Donald J. Trump will be the next president of the US, voters decided. Trump is a polarizing figure, which means reactions to his election, and the majority control of the Senate and the House of Representatives by the Republican Party that he transformed, were strong.There is panic, disappointment, and fear on one side. Many Americans are even <a fr-original-style="" href="https://news.sky.com/story/internet-searches-for-how-to-move-abroad-up-by-more-than-1-000-after-us-election-result-13251032" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">considering</a> moving abroad rather than endure another Trump term. Many worry that the "anti-wokeness" tide that Trump platformed on will turn into policies that further disadvantage marginalized groups, that his disdain for institutions, bureaucracy, and mainstream media signals attempts to become unprecedentedly authoritarian. On the other side, there are just as many who are excited for his inauguration day. His proponents put trust in Trump's ability to "get stuff done" for Americans, and believe that his deal-making skills will help solve the polycrisis of deadly wars, massacres, and conflicts.Recommended read:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/s/project-2025s-mandate-institutionalizing-trumpism" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Project 2025's 'mandate': Institutionalizing Trumpism</a> |&nbsp;Aposto World, Soli ÖzelWhile the outcomes of a second Trump presidency will be clear only as we witness them, I can comfortably forecast that politics editors worldwide will have a busy 4 years. Readers can expect to see Trump’s name in the news far more often than they saw Biden's.You will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.Here are the headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin:🇺🇸 Red wave sweeps the electoral map 🇩🇪 Germany without a government ⚽️ Protests and violence in Amsterdam🎵 Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6Wi9sRhakEvFAjAVnSPztI?si=1ufsSscJRy6kgFM0tWHYlg" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Sunshine Radio</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp

Trump wins presidency, Republicans in charge. Olaf Scholz's center-left government collapsed. Netanyahu fired defense chief. Violence in Amsterdam following football game featuring Israeli team. Calls for embassy protests.

💇 Red wave, German government collapsed

Hello again! Today is Monday, November 4. Tomorrow, the US will hold its presidential elections, where the electoral college will finalize the decision whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will be given the 4-year term.The incoming US president will have a serious impact on conflicts in the Middle East, the Ukraine-Russia war, and tensions around China. All eyes will be on tomorrow's election, including Turkish citizens. Trump slapped Turkey with the biggest sanctions in the history of the two countries' relationship over Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. A year before, separate sanctions were applied over a Turkish offensive into Syria that targeted Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia—which it considers a terrorist organization.Turkey's offensives into Syria haven't stopped since then. As recently as last week, following a deadly terror attack in Ankara which the PKK—also a designated terror group—claimed responsibility for, Turkey ordered air strikes into northern Syria and Iraq. Both the terror attack and the airstrikes in response happened at a time when the government signaled a new "peace process"&nbsp;with the Kurds.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Reading suggestion:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/s/kurdish-problem-on-the-eve-of-a-new-peace-process" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: currentcolor; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">'Kurdish problem': On the eve of a new peace process?&nbsp;</a>|&nbsp;Aposto World</li></ul>These early calls for dialogue and messages of peace were seriously undermined this week as the government removed four Kurdish mayors, one of them in Istanbul,&nbsp;and replaced them with government-appointed trustees.You will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.Here are the headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin:🌐 Israel's UNRWA ban 🥜 Death of Peanut the squirrel, US elections 🇧🇴 Bolivia's brewing political clash🎵 Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1E8McMmLjkSrve?si=d9fc3b96509744a1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: currentcolor; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Election Day Radio</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp

Turkey replaces pro-Kurdish mayors. Spain floods. US election integrity targeted by Russia. Schengen crisis. North Korea chooses ally. Iran promises retaliation. Bolivia close to violent political crisis. Nigerian protesters in trial.

🐿️ US Elections, Kurdish crackdown

Hello again! Today is Monday, October 28. Tomorrow, October 29, marks Turkey’s Republic Day, celebrating 101 years since the founding of the Türkiye Cumhuriyeti—the Republic of Turkey.For over a century, and long before that, the Turkish State’s relationship with the Kurds (and previously, that of the Ottoman Empire) has been contentious. Particularly after the establishment of the Turkish nation-state, the ethnic, religious, linguistic, and cultural differences between Kurds and Turks—both heterogeneous groups—have fueled political tension, repression, and conflict. Many academics and political experts argue that "the Kurdish problem," referring to this prolonged political instability, stands as the largest barrier to Turkey becoming a fully democratic state.This brings us to the major development in Turkish politics this week: a surprising call from the ultra-nationalist party to engage with the PKK, a Kurdish separatist paramilitary organization recognized as a terror group by Turkey, the EU, and the US. Yet, there is also fear and mistrust about how easily such a process could falter—and what could follow.Here are the headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin:🛩️ Long-dreaded Israeli retaliation against Iran 💣 Terror attack in Ankara 🇰🇵🇰🇷 Rising tension on the Korean Peninsula over UkraineYou will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.&nbsp;Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2MpOGZdtOLTIjpRG19MCX1?si=N2RtM285S6uW1iWhptLBXw" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Günlerimiz</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp

Turkey reconsiders initiating peace talks with the Kurds, followed by a terror attack. Israel targets Iran as expected, with fears of further escalation. The Korean Peninsula remains on edge over Ukraine. BRICS summit approaches.

🎡 The Kurdish affair, Israel's retaliation

Hello (again)! It is Monday, October 21.Turkey, still shaken by the <a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/s/turkey-outraged-by-double-femicide-and-government-inaction" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">double femicide</a> earlier this month, was the scene of the most horrific crime; a crime ring that profited from the hospitalization of newborn babies, eventually causing some newborns to die. The outraged public demands accountability and action from the government. Many are asking who could be considered 'safe' in an environment where this sort of chilling news makes the headlines every week.Turkish preacher Fethullah Gulen, a longtime rival of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who has been blamed for a deadly failed coup attempt in 2016, has died at age 83. The Turkish government tried for years to have Gulen extradited to stand trial, but the United States never agreed to send him back to Turkey, leading to longstanding diplomatic tensions.The international state of things is not promising either, says UN, whose human rights chief <a fr-original-style="" href="https://apnews.com/article/un-human-rights-international-law-disrespect-gaza-7267ef63395d34194126295272ab15ef" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">noted</a> this week that the world is at an especially dangerous moment in history, with disregard and disrespect for international law “reaching a deafening crescendo.” Some notes of that escalation this week are the tensions in Korean Peninsula over South Korean drones, also apparently independent events that point to direct North Korean military involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war. An attack on North Korea would trigger a series of interconnected defence treaties that involve Russia and China.The war rages on in the Middle East. Yahya Sinwar, architect of the October 7 attacks and the new leader of Hamas following the death of Ismail Haniyeh, was also killed by Israeli troops this week. Gaza and Southern Lebanon, as well as the capital Beirut, continue to suffer from Israeli airstrikes.Headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin are:🕌 Turkish cleric and political figure Fethullah Gülen dead 🛩️ Drones that bring Korean Peninsula on the edge of war 💰 US elections: Bets and bribes 🇮🇳 India accused of killing activists abroadYou will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.&nbsp;Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1E8KNzd0SLBUgk?si=269006fc65cf4403" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Money Game Radio</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp

Hamas leader killed. Gaza and Lebanon hit. Turkish cleric and FETO group's ringleader Fethullah Gülen died. Zelensky's 'victory plan'. North Korea said to send soldiers to Russia. Canada accuses India of murder of activists.

🛩️ Gülen dead, Sinwar killed

Hello (again)! It is Monday, October 14.Today's issue touches upon more than a few regions experiencing geopolitical tensions, some where war is roaring and others where it's brewing.&nbsp;The wars in the Middle East are escalating. With the latest drone strike in Israel, we can expect that the country, which was already planning a response for last week's attacks by Iran, will want to display force. The Gulf states want no part of it all. President Zelensky of Ukraine is on tour for more support against Russian gains. The&nbsp;Korean Peninsula is on edge as North Korea says front-line soldiers are ready to strike. The&nbsp;South China Sea is far from stable as ASEAN members meet to no avail. Ethiopia is isolated in East Africa against Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea as the three countries form an alliance amidst rising tensions. Haiti is in chaos and neighbors are not helping. Sudanese RSF blames Egypt for recent woes.Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdoğan was abroad changing minds and winning hearts thanks to Bayraktars, the Turkish military drones which have been in high demand for the past few years.Also in this issue, Çağatay Cebe writes about "Nation Station", an example of how the Lebanese people are coming together in the humanitarian crisis that saw a quarter of its population displaced due to Israeli attacks.Headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin are:🪖 UN peacekeepers told to evacuate, then injured 📋 Russia to remove Taliban from terror list 🤝 "Axis against Ethiopia" solidifies in East Africa 🚀 SpaceX captures giant rocket boosterYou will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.&nbsp;Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0DpHNtdQBy3e2Iy6TKLWIv?si=LJeWlP3oT9uevOzYomGGnA" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">The Boatman's Call</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp

Israel condemned for targeting UN peacekeepers, says they are human shields. Drone strike kills four Israeli soldiers. Europe strengthens borders and offshores immigration. Trump targeted, again. 

🌐 Unwelcome peacekeepers, Bayraktar diplomacy

Today is&nbsp;October 7th,&nbsp;2024. Hamas attacked Southern Israel a year ago today, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 as hostage. The attacks triggered a year of violence and destruction where Israel's subsequent military assault on Gaza killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians. The war spread to the region as Israel targeted other Hamas and Iran allies, most recently launching an incursion into Lebanon to fight Hezbollah.Most of top Hamas and Hezbollah leadership has been killed. The International Criminal Court, investigating violations of international law in fighting, has asked for the arrest of Hamas and Israel leadership, including PM Benjamin Netanyahu. A year later, war rages on.Meanwhile, in Turkey, the mood was grim over the weekend. "Did you see the video," friends would ask me. They are referring to the footage showing a deceased 19-year old woman, whose mutilated body laid on a road in Istanbul. The woman, İkbal Uzuner, was one of two that were murdered by the same person that day. Femicides remain a critical and urgent issue in Turkey, and women's rights organizations, which are among the most politicized groups in Turkey, have taken to the streets to protest the judicial system and government policies that they say are responsible for the staggering number of femicides that occur in the country. Their core demand is simple: Safety.Headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin are:🕯️ 1 year since Hamas's October 7 attacks🇹🇳 Elections with few choices in Tunisia🌍 UK (partly) gives up last African colonyYou will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.&nbsp;Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4s9UNZfPf5NlcgxWvs702c?si=d08848ab29744846" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Songs For World Peace</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp

A year of war in the Middle East. Femicide outrage in Turkey. Elections with few choices in Tunisia. UK to give up last African colony. EU split over tariffs on Chinese EVs. Israel influence on US elections. Haiti massacre.

🕯️ A year of war, femicide protests

Hello (again)! It is Monday, September 30.Turkey made the headlines internationally, particularly in the US, following an indictment against New York Mayor Eric Adams&nbsp;that detailed a decade-long corruption scheme between the Mayor and Turkish officials. The alleged relationship involved the Mayor expediting a building permit for the redeveloped Turkish House and showing that he is a "true friend of Turkey" on some Turkey-related political issues. These, of course, allegedly, in exchange for campaign funding and luxury travel. Money and favors, naturally, come with ties, and it looks like those ties have some serious political implications. The punchline is that Turkish President Erdoğan was in New York this week for the UN General Assembly. He was supposed to leave on Thursday, the day of the announcement of charges against Mayor Adams, but cut his trip short and flew to Ankara a day earlier.The other big story of the week was the assassination of Hezbollah's long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The news were received with mixed and layered reactions in Turkey: a general condemnation of Israel and its tactics, some people showing grief over what they saw as an anti-colonialist leader, and some Syrians, those who have suffered for Hezbollah's active support to the Assad regime in the civil war that drove them away from their country to Turkey, celebrating his death.Following Nasrallah's assassination, Israel stepped up its military operations against Iran's proxies, bombing many regions at once from Syria to Yemen.Headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin are:🇱🇧 Lebanon in terror, Axis of Resistance bombed 💰 New York Mayor in very Turkish trouble 🇯🇵 Japan has a new PM 🔔 A first in Austria (since Nazi times)You will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.&nbsp;Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1E8NALsAC1Xof8?si=8596233ca7d34f03" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Autumn Leaves Radio</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp

Corruption scandal in New York, sponsored by Turkey. Israel's expanding attacks against Iran's proxies. The far-right won Austria's elections. Japan has a new PM. Climate disasters. Argentines in poverty. Tunisia election crackdown.

🏙️ Building alaturca, Lebanon devastated

Hello (again)! It is Monday, September 23.The United Nations General Assembly is set to meet tomorrow. World leaders will discuss the war in Gaza and the many fingers on many triggers that could momentarily turn the ongoing conflict into an all-out regional war. Ukraine-Russia war and the civil conflict in Sudan are also sure to be on the table. The UN itself will be subject of many conversations as a record number of 220 staff &nbsp;were killed this year, its resources are depleted, plans are underway to add new seats to the Security Council, and the overall function of the agency is being questioned. The events unfolding this week will no-doubt shape the success of mediation efforts regarding Gaza, and the extent of West's involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.Until we hear more from the UN headquarters in New York, here is a breakdown of what happened in the world this week.Headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin are:📟 De-escalation through escalation?🆇 Elon backs down🕌 'Muslim Vatican' in the worksYou will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.&nbsp;Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4XOROzuaKL5feDZuZ8iM7h?si=fb929bc9881c4ea0" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp

Tensions rise in the Middle East amidst surprise attacks and escalation between Israel-Hezbollah. The new French government. Quad summit. Sri Lanka's new president. US blamed for cartel violence.

📟 Exploding pagers, Muslim Vatican

Hello (again)! It is Monday, September 16.If you have been following this newsletter over the past few weeks, you will have noticed some recurring themes in what happens in a week of global politics. That is to say, some trends that are indicative of the direction of our times. These trends include immigration and border issues, social media regulation, the prosecution of former heads of state, demographic concerns around retirement age and pensions, and escalating conflict threats. In this week's newsletter, there are news related to all these topics, keep an eye out for them.Besides these, a breaking story is the recent shooting attempt that took place in Donald Trump's Florida golf course, which the FBI says targeted him. This marks the second assassination attempt on the former—and contending—president in the past two months.Also, give <a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/s/making-of-a-tradition-with-haluk-sahin-homers-day-of-the-poet" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">this interview</a> we conducted with journalist Haluk Şahin a read. Şahin tells the story of how Homer’s Day of the Poet and the Homer Reading festivities that he initiated at Bozcaada 22 years ago became a tradition that is not just a celebration but also a reflection of the island's culture, history, and spirit.Headlines&nbsp;from this week's bulletin are:🛂 Germany's new border controls rattle Schengen Agreement 🛑 Putin's threats over potential use of Western missiles 🧑‍⚖️ Mexico will elect its judges 🩻 Report on NHS rings alarm bellsYou will find the most important developments affecting world politics each week here, at Aposto World.&nbsp;Tunes for the read, and for the rest of the week: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4XOROzuaKL5feDZuZ8iM7h?si=fb929bc9881c4ea0" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts</a>Have a good week, an easy read, and see you next week.&nbsp;Alp

Investigation of a shooter in Trump golf course underway. Germany to enforce borders with Schengen countries. NHS in critical condition. Mexico passes judicial reform. Putin's new red line, not yet crossed.

🛂 Trump assassination attempt, Schengen Crisis

Teknoloji hakkında yayımlanmış makaleler ve yayınlar

Teknoloji

Politika hakkında yayımlanan makaleler ve yayınlar

Politika

İş dünyası hakkında yayımlanan makaleler ve yayınlar

İş Dünyası

Ekonomi hakkında yayımlanmış makalaler ve yayınlar

Ekonomi

Marco Rubio, Republican senator from Florida, is Donald Trump's pick for US secretary of state, America's top diplomat. Unlike some other names that Trump plans to appoint to key cabinet positions, the selection of Florida Senator Marco Rubio to serve as secretary of state has won praise from both Democrats and Republicans.Rubio is a former Trump adversary, having run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 against Trump and others. During that campaign, Trump belittled him as “Little Marco,” and the two exchanged heated attacks during the debates. After Trump’s 2016 victory, Rubio aligned behind him, serving as an informal foreign policy adviser. He was even considered to be Trump's running mate in the November 5 election, and supported the Republican ticket after he was passed for the role.Rubio is not an isolationist like most other Trump picks who are reluctant to continue or start new US interventions abroad, but he has also echoed Trump more recently on issues like Russia’s war against Ukraine, saying that the conflict has reached a stalemate and “needs to be brought to a conclusion.” Voting against a new $6 billion military aid package for Ukraine earlier this year, Rubio expressed support for Ukraine but said that the focus should be Asia:<blockquote fr-original-style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(255, 225, 68); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px;" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(255, 225, 68); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; border-left-style: solid; box-sizing: border-box;">"The future of the 21st century is going to largely be defined by what happens in the Indo-Pacific. And I think China would love for us to be bogged down in Europe in a conflict and not focused on what’s happening in the Indo-Pacific."</blockquote>Rubio was elected to the Senate in 2010, and has staked out a position as a foreign policy hawk, taking hard lines on China, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba in particular.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">China</h2>Rubio has long championed growing American industries to better compete with China. He also served as a co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which has aimed to craft aggressive policy on China, especially in trying to address human rights abuses there. In 2020, Rubio sponsored a bill that tried to prevent the import of Chinese goods made with the use of forced labor by China’s ethnic Uyghur minority. President Biden signed it into law the next year.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Israel</h2>Like all other Trump picks, Rubio is a staunch supporter of Israel and it's war in Gaza. When asked by a peace activist late last year what he thought about the many Palestinian civilian deaths, he said, "I think Hamas is 100 percent to blame."Rubio is against a ceasefire in Gaza. When asked by activists on Capitol Hill if he would support ending fighting there, he firmly said no. "On the contrary … I want them to destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on," Rubio said. "These people are vicious animals who did horrifying crimes."Rubio also supports Israel's positions on Iran and Lebanon.Trump has made his choice for a number of other national security roles. He has selected Representative Michael Waltz, Republican of Florida, to be his national security adviser, and Representative Elise Stefanik, Republican of New York, to be ambassador to the United Nations.Looking ahead:&nbsp;Rubio has worked across party lines on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, and would likely sail through a confirmation process.

Ahead of his return to the White House on 20 January 2025, president-elect Donald Trump is making appointments to what will be his new cabinet. Department of State will be run by Marco Rubio, awaiting confirmation.

US foreign policy to be run by China hawk Marco Rubio

When the CHP's candidate for Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoğlu—a relatively unknown local politician at the time—defeated the incumbent AK Party candidate in the mayoral race, the AK Party launched a legal challenge to overturn the results. A repeat election was held, but Imamoğlu, whose confidence and charisma resonated with voters, secured an even larger victory margin.Similarly, in Ankara, the CHP's candidate Mansur Yavaş also triumphed over the incumbent AK Party candidate, marking another significant win for the opposition in Turkey's two largest cities.The next four years saw tensions between CHP's local administrations and the AK Party-run central government that resulted in the opposition accusing the AK Party and Erdoğan of using the state's capacity to sabotage governance at the local level by withholding funds and implementing restrictive policies. Both Imamoğlu and Yavaş gained popularity among opposition voters and were seen as strong contenders against Erdoğan in the 2023 Presidential Elections. CHP's leader at the time, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu ran as a candidate instead, and Erdoğan secured another term.In the 2024 local elections, CHP achieved historic gains, securing more votes than the AK Party for the first time and gaining control of many new districts and cities. The results provided CHP with a psychological boost and a significant political platform to enact policies aimed at winning over voters ahead of the next presidential elections. Additionally, the party gained access to extensive resources, including budgets and jobs to allocate at the local level. However, winning the elections turned out to be the easier challenge compared to the struggles that followed.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Replace the mayor</h2>Even before the CHP's recent local election gains, the central government had an ongoing skepticism of local administrators, especially in cities with Kurdish-majority populations where pro-Kurdish parties won local elections. Following the 2016 coup attempt, then-Prime Minister Erdoğan assumed extraordinary powers, which were later institutionalized through constitutional changes. The practice of appointing "kayyum" (government trustees) to replace elected officials became a widespread measure in Turkey's southeast region. Since then, 160 mayors—primarily from pro-Kurdish parties—have been removed from office and replaced by government-appointed trustees.As recently as last week, three mayors, all members of pro-Kurdish parties, were removed from office.Reading recommendation: <a href="https://aposto.com/s/pro-kurdish-mayors-replaced-peace-process-not-going-so-well" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;"></a><a href="https://aposto.com/s/pro-kurdish-mayors-replaced-peace-process-not-going-so-well" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;"></a><a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/s/pro-kurdish-mayors-replaced-peace-process-not-going-so-well" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Pro-Kurdish mayors replaced: 'Peace process' not going so well</a><a href="https://aposto.com/s/pro-kurdish-mayors-replaced-peace-process-not-going-so-well" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;"></a><a href="https://aposto.com/s/pro-kurdish-mayors-replaced-peace-process-not-going-so-well" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;"></a> | Aposto World<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Sue the mayor</h2>All the mayors replaced by the central government were accused of ties to terrorism. However, CHP's mayors are facing their share of legal challenges as well. One example is a case against Istanbul mayor Imamoğlu, where prosecutors are asking a jail sentence for reportedly calling election officials "fools". The lower courts have ruled against Imamoğlu in the case, and if the appeals process upholds the ruling, Imamoğlu could be removed from office.A recent development exemplifies the recurring legal scrutiny faced by opposition mayors. Ankara Mayor Yavaş faced criticism on social media over the reported costs of city concerts featuring famous singers, with some characterizing the expenses as "extravagant." Yavaş announced an internal investigation in response. However, soon after the debate began, prosecutors filed charges against both Yavaş and İmamoğlu for "misuse of public funds." İmamoğlu responded to the development, saying he was "used to it."<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Squeeze the mayor</h2><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="71d5efdb-6a90-4602-a958-6d45629fbcff" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o" dir="auto" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Municipal governments now face a new challenge: debt collection, with Turkey's Social Security Institution (SGK) emerging as the primary creditor due to long-standing unpaid tax debts. In recent months, following Erdoğan's speech emphasizing financial discipline, state tax collection departments and the ministry overseeing the SGK announced plans to demand repayment of debts and, if necessary, freeze municipal bank accounts to ensure collection.</div>CHP has argued that this is a politically motivated action, noting that these debts were not pursued when the AK Party controlled most municipalities, despite the debts being accrued during that period. If municipalities are forced to pay, they will struggle to fund essential local governance expenditures, such as city workers' wages and infrastructure maintenance.

Opposition mayors in Turkey, many of whom represent significant political alternatives to the AK Party, face mounting challenges from the central government. These include legal battles over terrorism charges and alleged misuse of public funds, as well as financial pressures.

Turkey's opposition mayors under pressure 

Daniel Erasmus, founder of <a fr-original-style="" href="https://climategpt.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">ClimateGPT</a>, is pioneering climate resilience&nbsp;by merging artificial intelligence with vast planetary data sets. He drives home the urgency of early, collective climate action to secure a sustainable future. As the visionary behind ClimateGPT, the world’s first open-source foundational AI model focused on climate and Erasmus.AI, he has created a powerful tool to transform global adaptation efforts. His board of directors includes some of the world’s most brilliant minds, enhancing the model's capacity to tackle critical challenges, from tracking extreme weather events to mapping innovations and mitigating risks.Erasmus's commitment to global impact was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when he launched a food security initiative, delivering over 60 million meals across sub-Saharan Africa. Renowned for his ability to foresee major economic shifts, Erasmus accurately predicted events like the Global Financial Crisis and fluctuations in oil prices, providing invaluable insights to state organizations and industry giants alike. His influence extends into public sector initiatives, where he has played key leadership roles in transformative projects, including the Rotterdam Climate Initiative, solidifying his dedication to meaningful, large-scale change in the face of climate threats.Our planet is defined by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity; a VUCA world where critical edges appear everywhere. Through the Erasmus AI platform, Daniel Erasmus and his team process massive data sets daily, aiming to drive breakthroughs in navigating these complex challenges.An academic writer, Erasmus serves on boards like the University of Stellenbosch Faculty of Science, Titan Advanced Energy Solutions, and Quad9 Foundation and has authored three books and numerous op-eds. Recently, he joined the Club of Rome, founded in 1972 and composed of scientists, academics, and thought leaders. We spoke with him about climate change and artificial intelligence.COVID-19, transformative global shifts, unprecedented elections, relentless warming, and natural disasters: How would you define yourself during these last two years, and what have been the most significant changes in your life?Let’s start from the beginning. I’m originally from South Africa, and the main theme of my life over the last quarter-century has been societal transformation. South Africa's transition from the old regime to democracy heightened my interest in the processes behind social structure transformation. In recent years, I've focused on accelerating these transformation processes through AI, using decision-tree theory techniques. My goal has been to increase our collective social intelligence over time. If we assume that the climate will change and exceed 1.5 degrees, we must understand the significant social impact this will have. We need to be positioned to change our social structures, reward systems, energy frameworks, resilience, and readiness faster than these transformations occur. If we can achieve that, we’ll be better prepared, even in a changing environment.Is the driving motivation behind creating ClimateGPT to help us live better lives?The core purpose of ClimateGPT is to enhance societal adaptability to climate change by making people brighter. This is not a change driven by individuals but collective decisions. ClimateGPT offers tools to support societal decision-making from local governments to central institutions. For instance, in Rotterdam, we set emission reduction targets with our initial projects to transform cities. However, recognizing the broader implications of climate change, we developed ClimateGPT to analyze its socio-economic impacts better. According to data published in Nature a few years ago, around $100 trillion will be required globally to transform our systems. This staggering amount is equivalent to the world's annual GDP. Acting sooner will allow us to spend less than if we delayed, especially as the world faces economic hardship.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2024/10/1/1731935802986.jpeg" style="display: block; float: none; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="1.13" width="550" fr-original-style="display: block; float: none; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">A screenshot from ClimateGPTHow does ClimateGPT work, and where do you envision it evolving?We’ve been working on ClimateGPT scenarios for some time. A scenario is like sitting in a room with some of the world's most brilliant and influential minds and asking, “What if things go wrong?” Essentially, you’re playing “what-if” games with the aid of technology. A scenario project also involves gathering insights from decision-makers worldwide. In that sense, ClimateGPT is quite straightforward. Our advisory board consists of knowledgeable individuals. Typically, a scenario process can result in a thousand or two-thousand-page document. If we don’t build this system, no one will, as Silicon Valley is focused on AGI, which is a fantastic and intriguing project. Still, we’re interested in making everyone collectively smarter. We’re about to launch version two of the model.&nbsp;We’ve developed scenarios ranging from designing climate resilience in Madagascar to planning new climate strategies in the Caribbean and supporting mangrove forest resilience. Mangrove forests are dense stands of trees and shrubs in salt marshes, tidal estuaries, and muddy coastlines, and they offer remarkable coastal resilience. They create economies of scale because you can raise shrimp there, generating substantial social benefits. Through ClimateGPT, we’re not just saying “plant a tree” or “grow a forest” but advocating for planting mangrove forests. This thought process is at the heart of our system. Multinational corporations have used ClimateGPT to design carbon-neutral strategies, financial services companies to explore various risk models and supply chain planning.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2024/10/1/1731935829583.jpeg" style="display: block; float: none; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="2.64" width="550" fr-original-style="display: block; float: none; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">As a surprising addition, people also use it to decide which solar panels to install on their rooftops. Open systems tend to surprise you with their benefits. That’s why we’re moving to Model Two, then Model Three, to provide ample feedback to individuals and not just corporations. We’re working with George Mason University to improve the quality of the models’ numerical responses. We’re also partnering with central banks to support a model that upholds the sustainability of the global financial system.In an AI boom age, why do you think people fear it?Artificial intelligence doesn’t frighten me. People do.What are the most critical steps in combating climate change? And what are the most common global mistakes made in this regard?Acting early and wisely is the most effective approach to combat climate change. Addressing climate change demands trillions of dollars in investment to transform global systems, with costs rising each year we delay. Yet, one of the biggest mistakes is viewing climate change as a technical rather than a collective challenge. We need to address climate challenges from a perspective that strengthens community resilience.What else occupies your life? How do you maintain mental clarity while making risky, transformative decisions?I have a deep affinity for Zen Buddhism. I meditate, not every day, but it’s often a lifesaver. I also love Sumi-e, a Chinese ink painting art form. Clearing your mind is essential. To achieve this, you must move faster than you might think, building muscle memory. Like sailing, these pursuits require discipline, and engaging with them significantly aids me in tackling more extensive problems.Finally, what are your thoughts on the changing political conjuncture?Today, we need more scientists in decision-making positions within governments, politics, and various fields. One of the significant requirements of our era is to involve not only politicians but also engineers and scientists from different disciplines in the process.&nbsp;

Daniel Erasmus is on a mission to save the planet by using AI to bring out the best in our collective decision-making. How does ClimateGPT work and what role does community play in building climate resilience?

Exclusive with Daniel Erasmus: Climate resilience, community and AI

Although Donald Trump tried to distance himself from Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, the document and the underlining policy ideals may serve as a roadmap for a second Trump presidency.

Project 2025's 'mandate': Institutionalizing Trumpism

Over the past week, four mayors, all identified as pro-Kurdish, were removed from office. One of the removed mayors, Ahmet Özer from the main opposition party, CHP, served as the mayor of Istanbul's Esenyurt district. The other three dismissed mayors, members of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, held office in Mardin, Batman, Sanliurfa Halfeti. All four were removed due to alleged ties with Kurdish militants, specifically the PKK.Punchline:&nbsp;The timing of these decisions is notable, as just two weeks ago, President Tayyip Erdogan's key ally, ultranationalist MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, proposed ending the PKK's 40-year insurgency in the southeast. This proposal shifted the peace process from mere speculation to a formal policy move toward initiating dialogue with Kurdish leaders to end the violent conflict.Reactions:&nbsp;The DEM, Turkey's third-largest parliamentary party, condemned the dismissals, highlighting the contrast with last week's peace talks:&nbsp;"We expected an outstretched hand for peace and a solution, yet the people's will was disregarded."Zoom out:&nbsp;Following the 2016 coup attempt, when Erdoğan granted himself extraordinary powers later made permanent, the practice of appointing "kayyum" (trustees) became widespread. Since then, 160 mayors have been removed and replaced by trustees.Important note:&nbsp;There are two peculiarities about Turkey's system of trustee appointments. The first concerns who replaces the dismissed mayors. In most democratic countries—including Turkey before 2016—when a public official is removed, they are typically succeeded by their deputy, a party-appointed individual, or someone chosen by a representative body, such as the local council. However, since 2016, the Turkish government appoints a replacement of its own choosing, often from the ruling AK Party or a state official.The second issue concerns the timing of these removals. Mayors are often dismissed for alleged crimes not committed during their time in office, but sometimes dating back decades. This has led opposition members to question why these candidates were allowed to run in the first place if they were never going to be permitted to serve. The same government that approves their candidacy later blocks them from governing.

As discussions emerged in Turkey about the early steps toward a new peace process with Kurdish political forces, the government removed pro-Kurdish mayors from office, appointing its own trustees in their place. This practice, which began in 2016, has faced widespread criticism as a violation of democratic rights.

Pro-Kurdish mayors replaced: 'Peace process' not going so well

TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco, one of the most prestigious events in technology and entrepreneurship, concluded with a three-day lineup of events and the Startup Battlefield 200 pitch competition. Since its inception in 2011, TechCrunch Disrupt has continued to attract the attention of tech entrepreneurs and investors. With high ticket prices promising a worthwhile experience, many tech startups showed up to secure customers and attract investors. Numerous now-famous startups debuted at TechCrunch Disrupt: for instance, Dropbox was introduced at TechCrunch50 in 2008, and Discord gained recognition at TechCrunch Disrupt 2015.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">This year’s highlights</h2>Salva Health emerged as the Startup Battlefield 200 Competition winner, securing the $100,000 prize for its portable device that enables early breast cancer diagnosis. In second place was Gecko Materials, which drew attention with its high-strength adhesive technology.Artificial Intelligence and media:&nbsp;Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, found himself at the center of a heated debate on AI-driven content delivery methods. Media giants like News Corp raised objections regarding how Perplexity summarizes and utilizes content, while Srinivas contended that his company consistently cites content sources.Autonomous vehicles and space: Jesse Levinson, CTO of Zoox, commented that Tesla’s plan to launch an autonomous robotaxi service next year would be challenging. According to Levinson, much more time is needed for this technology to become truly “driverless and reliable.”<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Aravind Srinivas answered some tough questions </h2><img src="https://images.aposto.com/2024/10/1/1730722242573.png" width="550" height="411" style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="1.34" fr-original-style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">TechCrunch Senior Editor Devin Coldewey put Aravind Srinivas, founder of Perplexity and one of Google’s most demanding competitors in the search space, in the hot seat with challenging questionsA step back:&nbsp;Perplexity AI, a U.S.-based artificial intelligence startup, was in the spotlight with a new copyright lawsuit. Dow Jones (parent company of The Wall Street Journal) and the New York Post filed suit in the U.S., alleging that Perplexity violated copyright laws. The lawsuit claimed the platform generated search result news sections that contained inaccurate information, infringing on trademark law by referring to publishers in these results. The companies also alleged that Perplexity violated copyright by using content without permission.Content kleptocracy:&nbsp;Taking the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas faced criticism for not clearly defining the platform’s stance on “plagiarism.” Media organizations, including News Corp, described Perplexity’s use of their content as “content kleptocracy” and took their objections to the courts. Dow Jones and The New York Times, in particular, claim Perplexity uses their content for its commercial gain. Srinivas insisted that Perplexity always cites sources and does not claim ownership of any content.Srinivas emphasized Perplexity's mission to compile information from across the internet and present it in a user-friendly way. He noted the platform has revenue-sharing agreements with outlets such as Time, Fortune, and Der Spiegel, and they are seeking further collaboration.Copyleaks report:&nbsp;A Copyleaks report published last week indicated that some of Perplexity's content significantly rephrased sources and occasionally contained elements of plagiarism. Srinivas acknowledged the effort to credit all sources, though mistakes do occur. He added, “In our vision, facts should be universally shared,” and emphasized Perplexity’s mission to help people understand the world more clearly.Srinivas also shared that Perplexity now handles 100 million weekly search queries and plans to expand its product range to include online shopping tools, sports score trackers, and more.<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">On Tesla’s Autonomous Driving: 'There is no technology'</h2><img src="https://images.aposto.com/2024/10/1/1730722242384.png" width="550" height="351" style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="1.57" fr-original-style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Jesse Levinson, co-founder and CTO of Zoox, took the TechCrunch Disrupt stage to state that Tesla's newly announced robotaxi service will unlikely roll out in 2025. Levinson shared Zoox’s plans to launch custom-built robotaxis in San Francisco and Las Vegas in the coming weeks, with these vehicles scheduled for an early rider program in 2025.Levinson pointed out that Tesla's driver assistance system still requires human intervention, emphasizing it is not fully autonomous. He noted Tesla’s reliance solely on cameras and stressed that more hardware is required for a truly autonomous system. From the stage, Levinson seemed more focused on critiquing Tesla than promoting his product, ultimately remarking that while Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software is “impressive,” it is also “stressful” to use, creating false confidence and leading to unexpected mistakes. He claimed that public data shows that Tesla’s software is approximately&nbsp;100 times less safe than human drivers.<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Space investing</h2><img src="https://images.aposto.com/2024/10/1/1730722242109.png" width="550" height="416" style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="1.32" fr-original-style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Another featured session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 focused on investor insights into the space industry under Big Waves, Big Risks. The space sector continues to draw investor interest, though the journey is marked by volatility. At Disrupt, sector investors discussed the future of space and the hurdles ahead.Jordan Noone, co-founder of Embedded Ventures, noted that many space companies saw value drops after the SPAC boom of 2021. During this period, some investors profited while others faced significant losses. Lewis Jones of Seraphim Space remarked that although the SPAC boom was painful, it has brought more stability to the industry. “Everyone now understands that going public prematurely doesn’t work,” Jones said, expressing hope for better opportunities ahead.Katelin Holloway, co-founder of Seven Seven Six, views space investment as a long-term commitment. “Those who invest in space are taking big risks, but they are also pushing progress forward,” she said.Jones explained that market risks are replacing technical risks as the sector matures, and space startups, especially those providing geographic data—are capturing more interest. These companies are expected to offer innovative data utilization solutions. Holloway added that companies with big ideas but poor execution are likely to fail. “The companies that succeed will be those able to deliver quickly,” she concluded.Jordan Noone closed by observing that with declining launch costs, in-orbit delivery, space manufacturing, and the lunar market have become economically and technically feasible, providing exciting opportunities for investors.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfEKk4kPVzQ" target="_blank" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;"></a><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfEKk4kPVzQ" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">The TechCrunch Disrupt 2024&nbsp;</a>panels captured the pulse of the tech world and critically examined the big questions about our future. While many startups have found ways to validate their investors and secure new customers as we approach 2025, significant questions remain about the role of artificial intelligence in reshaping society, the hurdles to achieving sustainable digital solutions, and the future of autonomous technologies.

TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco, one of the most prestigious events in the world of technology and entrepreneurship, concluded its three-day series of events on October 30. Accusations of content copycat in AI, harsh criticism of Tesla's autonomous driving technology, and developments in space investments and the lunar economy were among the highlights of TechCrunch Disrupt 2024.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2024: Dreams, drama, and a dash of tech reality check

The Romans were probably the strongest believers of the idea that the republic would endure forever. After all, their part of the ancient world had been ruled by a republic for 482 years. They had overthrown their kings and established a complex and delicate system centered around the Senate. At least for the relatively wealthy elite, everything seemed to be going well. They had seemingly found a way to balance the competing interests of a vast region through the institutions of their republic.There was no reason to believe the Roman Republic would not last forever. This is why they proudly referred to their state as the "eternal city." Ottomans inherited the same concept of the "eternal state" from Rome. The political and legal embodiment of this never-ending republic was found in the writings and speeches of Cicero. Though the mechanics were intricate, the essence was simple: citizens bound by law, taking on duties in exchange for rights, together forming the "public thing," the res publica.The republic was something built collectively, something shared. It was precisely for this reason that it endured for centuries, even as it was eventually undone by a twist of fate. For things were not truly so harmonious.Cicero, who embodied the republic in every fiber of his being, who had kept the Senate standing against coup attempts, who had labored in nearly every level of Roman politics, witnessed the fall of the republic. His head was cut off, and the hands that had penned writings, now deemed poisonous, were severed and displayed in the city square.The transition from republic to empire in Rome is a highly educational historical period. The majority of famous Roman figures - Caesar, Augustus, Cicero, Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Brutus, and so on - were contemporaries, people who knew each other. Shakespeare's plays also revolve around this era of Roman history.It is a period I enjoy reading about, one that often comes to mind during r-Republic Day celebrations of Turkey, on October 29. But what happened to the institutions Cicero so zealously guarded and how were they hollowed out? Why did the victorious commander Caesar turn his armies against Rome, contributing to the fall of a republic that was mere decades away from its 500th anniversary?You can imagine that many are asking this question. Especially in the US, amid the deep crisis of democracy the world is going through, this question is frequently raised. In fact, the collapse of all systemic orders, starting with the Late Bronze Age, are being re-examined. The number and influence of those who believe we are going through a similar process of systemic collapse is steadily increasing. This growing interest is a sign of it.A system does not collapse for a single reason. It takes the confluence of many factors. But compared to today, the process by which the Roman Republic gave way to the Roman Empire holds lessons.For one, a republic becomes fragile if it is not inclusive. Roman politics was the domain of the families from which the 100 senators in Romulus' senate were drawn. The common people, the "plebs," had limited participation.As Rome expanded after crushing its eternal rival Carthage (I'll note in passing that this whole saga ended with Hannibal being buried somewhere near the Gebze highway), military spending increased, exacerbating the already unequal social order.It was difficult to pay the soldiers. At a certain point, the soldiers started pledging allegiance to their generals rather than the state. The ever-widening income inequality made the plebs say "enough is enough." They could not organize their own rebellion. The most prestigious families began to mobilize the plebs to crush their rivals, laying the foundations of populism. The mechanism by which Trump draws support from the "common folk" existed in Rome as well.Cicero's republic was one of class domination. The Roman nobles who would later turn on each other knew how to methodically crucify thousands of slaves led by Spartacus, standing united against the rebellion of the oppressed. All roads led to Rome, in part, through such means.The foundation was&nbsp;slave labor: inequality was rampant, the plebs had to join the army for a chance to partake in the opulence and splendor on display, and populist nobles exploited the rebellion of the people for their own interests, polarizing society. When this happens, there is no alternative but the collapse of the republic that was believed to be eternal. This, in essence, is the answer to the question that everyone is curious about.A governing system that is not inclusive and just will eventually crumble. Perhaps this is the true virtue of "the republic." People will always prefer the stability of a dictator&nbsp;to the hypocrisy of a republic that is not on their side. This is why the "eternal city" bestowed the title of "eternal dictator" upon Caesar.Any political current that disregards economic and&nbsp;social justice&nbsp;is anti-republican. Even the most trusted state institutions can be destroyed in a single generation. There are many dictators eager to surf the waves of the people's legitimate rebellion.But the res publica, the "public thing," is older than dictators and any form of government. Perhaps this is the basis of the determination of those who, knowing Cicero or Caesar, choose to side with Spartacus.If the republic rejects being the common possession of all, it will crumble. Defending one's rights is, in fact, defending the republic. A social contract that is not protected by the public can be exploited by many plunderers.

The dissolution process of the Roman Republic summarizes why a republic might collapse, and why it needs constant guarding.

What is the true virtue of The Republic?

Before the presidential elections last May that granted incumbent Erdoğan another 5 years in office, the main criticism of the vast opposition alliance was that they relied on the support of the pro-Kurdish DEM party, which the governing coalition associated with separatist terror group PKK. Understandably, Turkey's political scene is in great shock following ultranationalist coalition partner MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's call that jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan should be engaged with politically, with some even suggesting his potential release from prison.Background:&nbsp;DEM, whose many predecessors were shut down throughout decades, was not formally in the 2023 opposition alliance but indicated that they would vote against President Erdoğan's nationalist alliance. This alliance between Erdoğan's AK Party and MHP, the ultranationalist party associated with the Grey Wolves in Europe, accused DEM of being "in bed with terrorists", namely, the separatist terror group PKK. MHP leader Bahçeli showed zero tolerance for any political actor associating with DEM Party for the party's refusal to acknowledge the PKK as a terrorist organization.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">What happened?</h2>On the first day of the new legislative year, October 1, ultranationalist MHP leader Bahçeli shook hands with DEM Party MPs —a highly unusual gesture coming from a senior politician that branded the Kurdish political movement as terrorists or terror supporters for decades.This got people talking. Why now, for what reason? In the following weeks, there was a general atmosphere of calm in Turkish politics while the general public was discussing the brutal femicides and a crime ring that profited from hospitalizing newborn babies, at certain cases causing their deaths.Bahçeli took the stage for his party's parliamentary meeting on October 22nd and said something that no one saw coming; he called for jailed PKK leader Öcalan's solitary confinement to end, for him to take part in a peace process that would end the decades-long clashes between the Turkish military and Kurdish armed forces.This, in effect, upended Turkish politics and marked a strong turning point in the narrative of governing AK Party - MHP coalition which would accuse anyone dealing with the Kurdish political movement with terrorism.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">What are people saying?</h2>Only a few days after Bahçeli's unexpected speech, jailed Öcalan was granted a visit for the first time in 43 months to gather with a family member in Imralı, the island where Öcalan is jailed. His nephew, an MP for DEM Party, related Öcalan's reply to the recent developments:<blockquote fr-original-style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(255, 225, 68); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px;" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(255, 225, 68); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; border-left-style: solid; box-sizing: border-box;">"The solitary confinement is still in effect. If the necessary conditions are met, I theoretically and practically capable of carrying this process from a platform of conflict and violence to one of law and politics."</blockquote>Bahçeli's call was similarly met with cautious optimism and willingness to cooperate by other major Kurdish actors, including the current DEM Party leadership and jailed Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş, a popular figure.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Important note:&nbsp;Bahçeli was explicit in his speech that the peace dialogue should be carried out with Öcalan and not DEM Paty or Demirtaş.</li></ul>Nationalists who are not allied with the Erdoğan government decried the speech, accusing Bahçeli of treachery and spinelessness.The main opposition party, CHP, while careful not to be seen as siding with Erdoğan, welcomed the call for a peaceful solution to the decades-long conflict.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Potential reasons</h2>Among political analysts and the general public, 2 scenarios gained traction to explain the sudden and dramatic change regarding the governing right-wing coalition's shift in narrative regarding the Kurds.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">New constitution: Erdoğan and his coalition have been vocal for months in their desire to write a new constitution. The coalition does not have enough votes in the parliament to achieve this without some support from the opposition. Either parliamentary support or public endorsement in a referendum could help this desire for a new constitution, and making up with the Kurds could potentially be conducive to this end.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Geopolitics:&nbsp;There have been major paradigm shifts in the Middle East in the past few years: Syria's civil war, US withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, and of course, Israel's war with Iran-allied "Axis of resistance" that diminished Iran's regional influence to an extent. These set the scene for a number of ways in which its Turkey's national interest to increase political engagement with the Kurdish movement.</li></ul><h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">The Ankara terror attack</h2>As politicians, journalists and pundits were trying to figure out the meaning of this sudden change, came the news that a terror attack targeted the Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara. The attack left 5 people dead and 22 injured. The Interior Ministry announced that the PKK was behind the attack. A subdivision of the group claimed responsibility, but the statement said that the division was "autonomous" and that the attack was unrelated to recent peace process discussions. President Erdoğan said that the assailants came from Syria, publicly diminishing PKK's political responsibility.Turkey responded to the terror attack by launching an aerial attack on terror targets in northern Syria and Iraq. Turkish Defense Ministry said 81 targets were hit and 59 terrorists "neutralized". AFP&nbsp;reported that the attacks killed 12 civilians.The political reactions to the terror attack in the capital, which could have put an early end to peace discussions, focused on the contrast created by this attack and discussions of peace. Both the right-wing coalition that initiated the new peace process and Kurdish political actors said that the attack only strengthened their resolve for a peaceful solution.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">The history of &nbsp;peace talks</h2>This is not the first time that Erdoğan is taking steps to engage with the Kurdish political movement to end the decades, even centuries long conflict between the state and the Kurds. The latest peace talks started in 2013 and fell apart in 2015. ISIS had bombed a political rally attended by the Turkish left and Kurds in the Suruç province. The PKK accused the Turkish government and security forces of ignoring or potentially exasperating the ISIS threat against the Kurds, who were fighting against ISIS in Syria. PKK retaliated by killing Turkish police officers, subsequently the Turkish government launched large scale offensives on PKK targets.All of these happened after parliamentary elections where then-PM Erdoğan's AK Party, for the first time, failed to win a majority in the parliament. After the attacks that caused the peace process to end, AK Party adopted a more nationalist tone and political platform. Elections were repeated 4 months later as no party were able to form a government, and AK Party raised its number of seats in the parliament from 258 in June to 317, regaining the parliamentary majority. Since these elections, Erdoğan and the AK Party embraced the increasingly nationalist platform and later formed an alliance with the ultranationalist MHP.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">What do Kurds want?</h2>While the governing coalition could be motivated by internal or geopolitical concerns, the Kurdish political movement has its requests too. These requests, usually talked about under the term "equal citizenship" broadly includes the following:<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Language:&nbsp;The right for the Kurds to use their first language, "mother tongue", in education, health services, and other official and cultural spheres. The government does not currently recognizes Kurdish as an official language.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Political representation: A number of Kurdish political leaders are jailed, officially for the reason of associating with terror groups, namely the PKK. Furthermore, an increasingly uniform practice is for the government to appoint "kayyums" (trustees) to run municipalities won by DEM in regional elections.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Economic disparities:&nbsp;Kurdish leaders maintain that Turkey's Kurdish-populated regions receive less government support and attention, less investment for infrastructure projects, increasing the existent economic disparities.</li></ul>

The call to engage with the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan for a new peace process came from the most unlikely place: Erdoğan's ultranationalist ally, MHP leader Bahçeli. What might this signify?

'Kurdish problem': On the eve of a new peace process?

Due to the intense bombardment carried out by Israel to neutralize Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the southern neighborhoods of the capital, Beirut, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes. Apart from the Shia population who fled to Damascus and Karbala, thousands of people, some of whom have settled in other neighborhoods of Beirut and others living on the streets, are now desperately in need of aid.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">While the Ministry of Interior has opened some public buildings to refugees, NGOs are trying to fill the gaps of the state, which lacks the budget and capacity for comprehensive aid.</li></ul><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/nationstation__/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">The initiative called Nation Station</a>, is a group of friends who met online and came together after witnessing the government's failure to fulfill its responsibilities following the 2020 port explosion. The explosion at the Beirut port on August 4, 2020, occurred very close to the location where Nation Station is located. This area, which used to be an abandoned gas station, stands out as one of the most central public spaces where people can gather and use it as a storage facility.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenittahebbo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;"></a><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/jenittahebbo/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Jenitta Zikar Hebbo</a> is at the helm of this organization. Like the other employees and volunteers, she has a completely different profession. In 2020, when the explosion occurred, they gathered at this abandoned gas station. Since that day, for the past four years, this old gas station, owned by a wealthy businessman, has been used by the community free of charge to distribute food, water, and cleaning supplies to those in need.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The "Station" in their name comes from the old gas station they still use. "Nation," on the other hand, refers to the sense of national unity, rarely witnessed in this country, where people from entirely different stories have come together.</li></ul><img src="https://images.aposto.com/2024/9/1/1728912817334.png" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="1.90" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Location of Nation Station on Google Maps“Since the restaurants are closed, we have 4-5 chefs working with us,” says Jenitta:<blockquote fr-original-style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9);" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); margin: 0px 0px 1em; border-left: 2px solid rgb(94, 53, 177); padding-left: 5px; box-sizing: border-box;">“We have two main chefs; one is a Syrian Muslim, and the other is a Lebanese Christian. In addition to Lebanese people who usually live abroad and return to the country to help us, there are also people from foreign countries.” </blockquote>Jenitta states that before Israel's attacks, they were working with just a few volunteers, but now the number of their regular staff has increased to 15, while the number of volunteers has risen to 50. They organize volunteer participation and task division in a WhatsApp group and deliver a total of 300 meals to those in need three times a week, providing three meals a day.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2024/9/1/1728906644635.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="1.33" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Nation Station's kitchen &nbsp;| Photo: Çağatay CebeThey also mention that they do not receive donations from any institution or organization. Jenitta emphasizes that they only operate with individual donations. Additionally, they generate income from daily meal sales and events they organize on Thursdays.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Apart from distributing food, Nation Station also supports local farmers. People from Shouf, known as the fertile highland of the country, sell the vegetables and fruits they produce at stalls set up at the station.</li></ul><img src="https://images.aposto.com/2024/9/1/1728906702088.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="1.33" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">A farmer's market set up at the gas station | Photo: Çağatay Cebe Apart from Nation Station, various NGOs in the country are working to meet the needs of people displaced by the Israeli attacks. In the capital Beirut and Tripoli, the second largest city located in the north of the country, different organizations continue their activities at the local level, while some restaurants are also helping people in need.Indeed, the atmosphere of unease&nbsp;that has settled over the city following the Israeli attacks brings life to a standstill even on the busiest streets in the evenings. Alongside the conditions of war, the economic situation also causes people to hesitate to go out, making it increasingly difficult for restaurants to stay afloat.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">In this situation, some businesses are keeping their kitchens open to meet the food needs of those affected by the Israeli attacks instead of closing their doors.</li></ul><h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">The absent state and fragile social relations in Lebanon</h2>Although the <a fr-original-style="" href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/10/1155186" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">United Nations&nbsp;</a>and the <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/10/wfp-send-aid-ship-feed-displaced-lebanon" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">World Food Program&nbsp;</a>have announced aid packages for Lebanon, no aid has yet reached the country from these two organizations. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/lubnandan-18-yil-sonra-yine-gemiyle-tahliye-edildi/3357571" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Turkey</a>, the <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2024/10/12/12-10-2024-uae-uae" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">UAE</a> and <a fr-original-style="" href="https://mofa.gov.qa/en/qatar/latest-articles/latest-news/details/2024/10/13/qatari-aircraft-arrives-in-beirut-with-humanitarian-aid-for-lebanese-people" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Qatar</a> are the largest donors of humanitarian aid to Lebanon.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">These limited aids are, of course, not sufficient to solve the economic crisis and chronic political issues the country is facing. For the same reasons, Lebanon has never been able to function as a fully functioning state.</li></ul>Although society managed to act as a cohesive whole during both the 1943 independence war and the 2006 Israeli attacks, the continuity of the state of crisis&nbsp;and social divisions have gradually weakened the existence of the state.Even though the Interior Ministry has <a fr-original-style="" href="https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1428188/interior-minister-orders-opening-of-schools-as-shelters-for-displaced-from-southern-lebanon.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">opened</a> shelters for displaced people, the Lebanese state does not have the ability to run a comprehensive relief program. For this reason, people are coming together to help each other.<div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="8f76ec03-fcc7-4b9f-84ef-5c1ec153a826" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o-mini" dir="auto" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">While Beirut's cosmopolitan structure allows for an all-encompassing solidarity, in other regions, aid networks remain limited to structures established within specific religious and sectarian groups.</li></ul></div><div data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="983b53c8-177d-434b-8b5c-3c0b83c3e973" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o-mini" dir="auto" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">A stillborn state</h2></div>The foundation of Israel's attacks on Lebanon and its war with Hezbollah is rooted in the absence of a strong state presence in the country.During the Ottoman period, the influence of feudal families holding power in various regions of Lebanon, coupled with the reflection of political power during the French mandate period that began in 1920, led to the state being stillborn from the outset. In order to govern the "Modern Lebanon" it established, Paris preferred to maintain the fragmented feudal structure under the patronage of certain families during the nation-state formation process. The 1932 census also granted sects a say in the governance of the country.Since this period, positions in the country's governance, from the presidency to bureaucratic roles, have generally been distributed according to sects and shared based on the political and commercial interests of traditional families.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Thus, rather than creating a strong state apparatus, a bureaucracy based on fragile sectarian and religious relations was built. This structure continues to cause the state to fall short during times of crisis.</li></ul>On the other hand, the sense of "normalization" created in people by the successive crises in Lebanon began to break down with the economic crisis in 2019. During this period, the younger population, which sought better relations with the West, demanded transparency in the country's politics and looked for alternatives to traditional governance, took the lead in civil society movements against the families and political parties that had governed Lebanon for decades.Now, at a time when Lebanon is in dire need of a state structure, these civil society movements are trying to fill a huge void with solidarity.

As the Lebanese state struggles economically and politically, Israel's bombing of the country have left a significant portion of the population helpless. But the Lebanese people are forming various networks to distribute aid and finding ways to help one another during this massive humanitarian crisis.

A haven of solidarity in midst of chaos in Beirut

Turkey is in horror and outrage following the news of a double femicide targeting two 19-year-old women. Activists say that the murders are a consequence of government policies that do not punish perpetrators of violence and abuse.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">What happened?</h2>A 19-year old man, Semih Çelik, killed Ayşenur Halil and İkbal Uzuner, both 19, within an hour. The perpetrator mutilated and decapitated Uzuner. Video footage shows the killer standing on a historic wall and throwing the body on the ground, before taking his own life. Footage and pictures related to the incident were widely circulated, causing horror, before the Governor of Istanbul issued a ban on sharing the footage.The same day, another video footage from a security camera was circulating on social media. This one showed two men approaching a woman while she was walking and sexually abusing her until passersby got involved. It was reported that the woman did not press charges against the men, which did not come as a surprise to many women critical of the legal process that follows such a charge, where her name and address would be known to the assailants through court proceedings.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Solidarity on social media, protests in streets</h2>Immediately after the double femicide became known, women's rights groups called for street protests. Thousands of women gathered in the site where the killing took place, and in many other parts of Istanbul and Turkey. Protests are still continuing in dozens of cities.The outcry was massive on social media as well, with many women sharing their own experiences with violence, sharing security tips and showing solidarity with one another. On the other hand, the horrific incident triggered outrage about the long-running issue of violence towards women, which activists say has gotten worse under current government policies.The chief reason for this is the Erdoğan government's 2021 decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention, the Council of Europe’s treaty on preventing violence against women and domestic violence. Named after the Turkish city where it was signed, Turkey was its first signatory.The move has drawn blanket <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/07/turkeys-withdrawal-from-the-istanbul-convention-rallies-the-fight-for-womens-rights-across-the-world-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">condemnation</a> from around the world and sparked nationwide protests. Activists now call for rejoining the Convention and enforcing existing laws that protect women's rights. The larger climate of distrust of the judicial system is also a major point that activists emphasize.By the numbers:&nbsp;A new survey shows that more than 3/4 of the public believe that women are not safe from <a fr-original-style="" href="https://x.com/ozersencar1/status/1842858923897839962" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">violence</a>. "We Will Stop Femicides Platform of Turkey", a feminist organization that tracks femicides, reports that 34 women have been killed in September alone and 20 women have died under suspicious circumstances. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://kadincinayetlerinidurduracagiz.net/veriler/3114/in-the-first-six-months-of-2024-205-women-were-killed-by-men-and-117-women-were-found-suspiciously-dead" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">According</a> to the group, in the first six months of 2024, 205 women were killed by men, and 117 women were found suspiciously dead.

Two women have been killed by a 19-year old this Friday in Istanbul. The same weekend, footage from a separate incident showing a woman getting sexually harassed in a busy neighborhood circulated on social media. The incidents shed light on the problem of violence against women and sparked protests.