Kenan Behzat Sharpe

Kenan Behzat Sharpe is a freelance journalist and academic based between Santa Cruz, California, and Istanbul, Turkey. He has a PhD in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. His research centers on the relationship between social movements and literature, music, film and popular culture in Turkey, the Eastern Mediterranean and the United States. He is an editor and founder of Blind Field: A Journal of Cultural Inquiry. On Twitter: @kenan_sharpe

Turkey | Dec 14, 2022

Turkey's government wants refund for movie following LGBTQ controversy

The move is widely seen as a fresh episode of the culture war the government has been waging against the country’s artistic scene over critical opinions and queer content.

A still from the Turkish film "Burning Days."

Turkey | Jul 9, 2021

Turkish sexologists attract following on social media

As the ruling AKP tries to shut down the conversation on sexuality, Turkey's public finds new ways to gather and speak openly about their lives and desires.

Turkey | Oct 26, 2020

Turkey’s ruling party blunders at youth outreach

The Turkish government's recent attempts to reach out to the country's youth reveal that the generation gap is growing — and might be unbridgeable.

Turkey | Jul 22, 2020

Netflix Turkey cancels new series with gay character after government pressure

Netflix Turkey's decision to cancel a series with a gay character due to government pressure indicates that LGBTI+ society and rights are increasingly coming into the government's crosshairs.

Turkey | Mar 20, 2020

Don't let the music die: Istanbul's nightlife grinds to halt due to COVID-19

Istanbul's taverns and halls close their doors as the residents of the metropolis stay in due to the coronavirus outbreak in Turkey.

Iraq | Mar 13, 2020

A new generation lays its predecessors' ghosts to rest

In Al-Monitor's latest longform, we look at young people throughout the Mideast who have been at the forefront of efforts to turn the page on decades of sclerotic and rigged politics in favor of a more democratic alternative.

Turkey | Sep 24, 2019

Meet the rocker whose music revives Turkey's quirky history

Taner Ongur's music explores curious incidents from the dusty pages of modern Turkish history.

Turkey | Sep 9, 2019

Why Turkey's rappers can no longer stay silent

In a 15-minute-long song aptly titled "#ICannotBeSilent," Turkish rappers take turns expressing their woes on issues such as justice, freedom, environment, abuse and exile.

Turkey | Jan 16, 2019

Streaming revives Turkey’s TV industry

Turkish production companies are creating original content for Turkey’s internet generation that is receptive to nationally produced TV series available for a fee online.

Turkey | Dec 4, 2018

Can Turkish psychedelic music go global?

Meet the young trendsetters spreading the word about a rich and original period of Turkish music: Turkish rock from the 1960s and 1970s.

Kenan Behzat Sharpe

Turkey's government wants refund for movie following LGBTQ controversy

Turkish sexologists attract following on social media

Turkey’s ruling party blunders at youth outreach

Netflix Turkey cancels new series with gay character after government pressure

Don't let the music die: Istanbul's nightlife grinds to halt due to COVID-19

A new generation lays its predecessors' ghosts to rest

Meet the rocker whose music revives Turkey's quirky history

Why Turkey's rappers can no longer stay silent

Streaming revives Turkey’s TV industry

Can Turkish psychedelic music go global?

Podcasts

Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership not enough to secure Congressional approval for F-16s, says Hellenic American Leadership Council chief Endy Zemenides

Kenan Behzat Sharpe

Turkey's government wants refund for movie following LGBTQ controversy

Turkish sexologists attract following on social media

Turkey’s ruling party blunders at youth outreach

Netflix Turkey cancels new series with gay character after government pressure

Don't let the music die: Istanbul's nightlife grinds to halt due to COVID-19

A new generation lays its predecessors' ghosts to rest

Meet the rocker whose music revives Turkey's quirky history

Why Turkey's rappers can no longer stay silent

Streaming revives Turkey’s TV industry

Can Turkish psychedelic music go global?

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Podcasts

Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership not enough to secure Congressional approval for F-16s, says Hellenic American Leadership Council chief Endy Zemenides