Views from the Metropolis A monthly column on Turkey by Paul Osterlund

Considering My Debt to Istanbul in the Wake of the Elections

“Today’s Turkey is a place where about half of the population is utterly dismayed by the state of affairs, while the other half couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Jul 18, 2018
A Resilient Istanbul Nightlife Despite Sobering Liquor Taxes

An inverse relationship between the price of a drink and Turkey’s stability.

Jun 14, 2018
Old and New Turkey Square Off

“Turkey remains a country too complex and rich to split into tired binaries of east/west, secular/religious, and Old/New.”

May 03, 2018
Altering the Face of Istanbul’s Aesthetic Beauty

The state and the private sector foist unsightliness on an otherwise gorgeous Istanbul.

Mar 28, 2018
The Modern Reality of Istanbul’s Urban Chaos

Istanbul is a labyrinth of apartment blocks with limited green space for millions of its residents.

Feb 27, 2018
Ghosts and The City

“Gentrification and excessive development are major realities in major global cities, but in Istanbul, they’re on steroids.”

Jan 25, 2018