Introduction

In recent years, there has been growing interest in Turkey’s history, culture, politics, and economy. International media coverage of the country has increased significantly during the first decade of the twenty-first century in comparison to previous years. This interest stems largely from Turkey’s heightened profile and enlarged role in regional and global politics, its expanding economic strength, and its identity as a predominantly Muslim country that seeks to balance its cultural roots and traditions with a commitment to secularist political institutions and democratic processes.