Early in its rule, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government raised expectations that Turkey was willing to face its past. But now, as the 100th anniversary of Armenian genocide approaches, the government, let alone facing up to the past, has indulged in a frenzy of casting shadows on the genocide observances and moved Turkey’s traditional Gallipoli celebrations, normally held March 18, to April 22-24. 

How do Christians in Turkey and the Middle East judge the AKP government’s course of action? 

The effect of Turkey’s refusal to confront the historic tragedy on relations with countries that received the Armenians is not usually discussed. The much-vaunted Turkish model had lost some of its glitter because of Turkey’s reluctance to take steps to face the past and develop solutions to the questions of its own Christian minorities.

Sure, the AKP's initial attempts to normalize with Armenia melted some of the frost with the region's Christians. But when — in the course of Arab uprisings — Christians were targeted by radical groups supported by Turkey, that positive atmosphere was shattered. With Christians once again forced to abandon their homes in Iraq and Syria, their co-religionists in Turkey began to dread a return to their fearful days.