International News Explained

Sheila Gregory, Co-Editor|November 2, 2015

TURKISH BOMBINGS

At a peaceful rally in Ankara, Turkey on Oct. 10, two suicide bombers carried out their deadly goal. The blasts killed 97 people and left more than 250 wounded. Turkey observed three days of mourn- ing after the attack. While no group has claimed responsibility for the crime, the Turkish government is looking at ISIS

as the main suspect. This occurred three weeks before elections for parliament seats on Nov. 1, and officials worry about the security of the polls. Turkish Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said while he thought the attack was meant to affect the election, they will go on as scheduled.

Why is this a big deal? ISIS has no con- nection to the Turkish elections other than to incite violence and separatism in the country. The attack was made at a peaceful rally calling for an end in conflicts be- tween the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and the Turkish government. There is already
a fragile relationship with the Kurds — a native ethnic group who wants to separate from Turkey — and the Turkish state. How the government responds to this crisis will decide if full-blown conflict arises between the two. As one of the only sound govern- ments in the Middle East, this attack could prove detrimental to that stability, giving ISIS the availability to take over.

DEMOCRATIC DEBATE

CNN hosted the first Democratic debate for the 2016 presidential election Oct. 13. With a limited field of candidates — five compared to the 18 Republicans — each one had more time to expand on the issues and their stances. Everything from gun control to Wall Street was covered, although several of the candidates used Hillary Clinton’s past mistakes as a way to endorse themselves. As the obvious frontrunner, Clinton showcased how comfortable she was as a debater and seasoned politician. The fact still remains that Clinton and Bernie Sanders are the only two making an impression on the polls. Vice President Joe Biden was invited to participate, but he did not show up and speculation remains as to if he will run.

Why is this a big deal? Many thought the debate would be a boring one with so few candidates. However, this proved untrue with fiery performances from Sanders and Clinton. Disagreements over the Iraq War, gun control and capitalism kept viewers on their toes with the back and forth banter. The other three Democratic candi- dates — Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb and

on Nov. 1, and officials worry about the se- curity of the polls. Turkish Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said while he thought the attack was meant to affect the election, they will go on as scheduled.

Why is this a big deal? ISIS has no con- nection to the Turkish elections other than to incite violence and separatism in the country. The attack was made at a peaceful rally calling for an end in conflicts be- tween the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and the Turkish government. There is already
a fragile relationship with the Kurds — a native ethnic group who wants to separate from Turkey — and the Turkish state. How the government responds to this crisis will decide if full-blown conflict arises between the two. As one of the only sound govern- ments in the Middle East, this attack could prove detrimental to that stability, giving ISIS the availability to take over.

Lincoln Chafee — did little to raise their already minimal poll numbers. A number of scandals have followed Clinton, such
as the release of her personal emails, but she didn’t let that faze her and managed to appeal to moderate and left-leaning Dem- ocrats alike. With the Democrats holding less than a quarter of the candidates for this election, the options are limited to Sanders and Clinton — the two who have any traction in the polls. If anything, this debate reasserted Clinton as a political talent.