Turkey is surrounded by countries in turmoil. To the north there is civil war in Ukraine, while international sanctions against Russia, a major trading partner, have badly hit Turkey’s exports. To the east there is armed conflict in Syria and Iraq, with refugees spilling over the border. And to the west, the economic and political woes of Greece continue as it struggles to repay its debts.
The situation in Turkey is stable compared with what is happening around it. But there is still plenty of tension for thrill-seekers, as the momentum builds up to June's general election. Many fear that if the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and prime minister Ahmet Davutoğlu is returned to power with a big enough majority, it will follow through with its plan to change the constitution and replace the parliamentary system with a more authoritarian presidential system that will further curb civil liberties and antagonise the West.
