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The article reports on the view that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will gain more support at home while his country faces several challenges. Topics discussed include the heightened nationalism of Turkish people, Erdogan's efforts to break the Syrian Kurds' militia following the move of the U.S. to withdraw its troops in the border, and some of the challenges facing Turkey including American sanctions, the indictment of a state-owned bank and the rise in support for the Kurdish cause.

The article examines the political situation in Turkey on the eve of elections to be held July 21, 2007. Since becoming a republic in 1923, Turkey has had a rigidly secular government dependent on its support from the military. Liberal Turks who supported this arrangement may now vote for Islamist candidates and independents to show support for social change. Modernization of society has also created the backlash of an extreme nationalist movement.

The article reports on the conviction of a Turkish college professor in February 2008 for insulting Turkish founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the political climate of the nation. Details are given outlining the grounds of prosecution for professor Atilla Yayla and the political criticism against the Constitutional articles used which limit free speech. Plans to amend the censorship-focused Article 301 are mentioned but other political issues which have obstructed the publicity and priority of the move are cited.

Describes the recent electoral success of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) in Turkey. Possible impact of the MHP on foreign policy; Turkey's role as a regional power; Turkey's stance toward the conflict in Kosovo; MHP popularity compared with other political parties; Views of MHP leader Devlet Bahceli; Concerns about the progress of democratization and human rights; Signs of a rise in Turkish nationalism; Background of the MHP.