By Barry Rubin
RIGA, Latvia — I’m in Riga, Latvia today, where my grandfather was born and my great-grandparents lived. It is a charming city and I hope to write more about it later. But I wanted to share with you a little story that you might find relevant.
Whether or not you know it, Latvia has gone through one of the most difficult economic situations of any European country, though things are a bit better now. A major bank failure forced a massive increase in government spending and the national debt last year.
One of my conversations was with a Latvian intellectual involved in public affairs. As we discussed the problem I asked what Latvia’s government and leadership did about the crisis. Without hesitation he answered:
“What do you do when your economy goes into a crisis like this? It’s obvious! You must sharply cut the government’s budget of course and that’s what we did.”
Sounds pretty obvious, doesn’t it?
*
*
What Country in the World Has the Most Journalists Imprisoned?
By Barry Rubin
What country in the world has the most journalists imprisoned? The answer might surprise you. According to a recent study, China and Iran are tied at 34 each. But that’s only second place.
In first place is Turkey with 57. Yes, that supposed model for Arabic-speaking states, that supposedly ideal example of a moderate Muslim democratic state, NATO member, and candidate for European Union membership is in first place according to the International Press Institute.
And how many journalists there are facing legal proceedings? Hold onto your fedora hat: Between 700 and 1,000.
According to the Institute:
“Vedat Kurşun and Emine Demir of the Azadiya Welat newspaper were sentenced to 166 years and 138 years in prison, respectively, while Bayram Namaz and Ibrahim Çiçek of the Atilim newspaper each face up to 3,000 years in prison. Mustafa Balbay of Cumhuriyet newspaper, Mehmet Haberal of Kanal B Television and Tuncay Özkan of Kanal Biz Television all face dual life sentences, plus further time.”
Halit Güdenoğlu of Halit Yürüyüş magazine currently faces 150 court cases.
Western media and governments continue to ignore the growing repression of the Islamist regime in Turkey even as the noose tightens and the subversion of democracy grows daily. On June 11, Turkey will be holding elections. If the ruling AK party wins, the number is going to go a lot higher.
*
Barry Rubin, who may be read on Pajama’s media, http://pajamasmedia.com/barryrubin/ is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. GLORIA Center site: http://www.gloria-center.org He may be contacted at barry.rubin@sdjewishworld.com.