The impact of the conflict in the Kurdish borderlands of Turkey will be the focus of new research at Aberystwyth University following the awarding of a prestigious fellowship.

Over the next two years, Dr Dilan Okcuoglu will study state-building and control in the war-torn region in the south-east of the Turkish state.

Hosted by the Department of International Politics in Aberystwyth, Dr Okcuoglu’s research is financed through the UK Guarantee funding for Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Speaking about her project, Dr Okcuoglu said:

“My research examines the everyday lived experiences of people in the remote and mountainous Kurdish borderlands of Turkey, where decades of conflict between the Turkish government and Kurdish insurgents have imbued everyday life with a constant sense of threat.

“By gathering and analysing narratives gained through qualitative interviews with villagers, internally displaced people, activists, lawyers, and state officials in Turkey’s Kurdish borderlands with Iraq, Iran, and Syria, I hope to deepen our understanding of the complex formal and informal mechanisms that the state uses to control people and territories in these contested regions.”

“My research will shed light on how the Turkish state’s authority and legitimacy in its borderlands is shaped by the complex relationships between territorial control measures, competing claims over authority by different groups, and people’s everyday experiences. I also intend to map the gendered dynamics of the relationship between the state, people, and land, filling an important gap in the existing literature.”

The outcome of Dr Okcuoglu’s research will be of interest to policymakers, scholars, and practitioners committed to peace and conflict studies.

During her two-year Fellowship, Dr Okcuoglu will work under the mentorship of Berit Bliesemann de Guevara, Professor of International Politics at Aberystwyth University.  Okcuoglu will also be seconded to the Global (In)Security Centre and the Centre for Advanced International Relations Theory at the University of Sussex.

Dr Dilan Okcuoglu

Dr Dilan Okcuoglu has an interdisciplinary background in politics, economics and philosophy.  She received her PhD and MA in political studies from Queen’s University in Canada. She also has another MA degree from Central European University, and an undergraduate degree in economics from Bogazici University.

She is currently a non-resident visiting fellow at the CUNY Middle East and Middle Eastern American Centre in New York. She is also a project-based consultant for the Council on Strategic Risks in Washington, DC.

Prior to joining Aberystwyth University as a postdoctoral fellow, she was a postdoctoral fellow in Global Kurdish Studies at the American University, School of International Service in Washington, DC (2019-22) and a visiting scholar at Cornell University, M. Einaudi Center for International Studies (2019). In the first half of 2023, she has also done project-based consultancy for the The Center for Climate and Security, an institute of the Council on Strategic Risks on the issues of climate change, security and conflict in the Middle East (see: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5ee50271b81644419c7cd5902300ed8c)

She has also been affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Research Center on Democracy and Diversity at the Université du Québec à Montréal since 2018.

Her teaching and research interests primarily lie in the politics of the Middle East and North African region, conflict and peace studies, qualitative research methods, comparative territorial and border politics, democratisation, global justice, ethnic politics, and nationalism, as well as state-minority relations in conflict zones.

Okcuoglu’s has published articles and book chapters in The Oxford Handbook of Turkish Politics, Democratic Representation in Plurinational States: The Kurds in Turkey (in part of the book series Comparative Territorial Politics); policy briefs on security and conflict in the Journal of Middle Eastern Politics and Policy, and Peace Insight; as well as op-eds in The Conversation, Jerusalem Post, Daily News, and National Post. She is currently working on article manuscripts and a book proposal on informal control, and delivering talks on her work.

(See also: www.dilanokcuoglu.net).

Photo:  Dr Dilan Okcuoglu

Links:

Department of International Politics – https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/interpol/

Aberystwyth University aber.ac.uk
Established in 1872, Aberystwyth University is a leading teaching and research institution. Named Welsh University of the Year for 2024 by The Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide, it has been rated the top University in Wales for overall student satisfaction for the past eight years, based on the National Student Survey. 98% of the University’s research is of an international standard or higher with over 75% being ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. The University is a community of 8,000 students and 2,000 staff committed to delivering inspirational education and research in a supportive, creative and exceptional environment. Registered charity No 1145141.

Weather forecast for Llanelli-on-sea today is ‘shades and walking boots, extra spring in step’.

McMillan Morning Notes (early walk) –

Temporary traffic lights make for a pedestrian traffic jam.

Rocket sticks on the pavement are the legacy of fireworks – money up in smoke!

The unknown soldier stages a postbox takeover.

There’s some shape shifting going on in the signposts.

Carmarthenshire teens to tackle environmental challenges –

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/carmarthenshire-teens-to-tackle-environmental-challenges/

Road north of Carmarthen could be closed for up to 12 months after landslide –

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/road-north-of-carmarthen-could-be-closed-for-up-to-12-months-after-landslide/

Llanelly House not reopening before next year due to ‘complex repairs’ after fire –

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/llanelly-house-not-reopening-before-next-year-due-to-complex-repairs-after-fire/

Today’s random front page is the Western Daily Press. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #buyapaper

Today’s South Wales Echo front page. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #BuyAPaper

Today’s South Wales Evening Post front page. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #BuyAPaper

Today’s Western Mail front page. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #buyapaper

One for my pals in the north. Today’s Daily Post front page. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #BuyAPaper

Today’s playlist is a random mix from Spotify. Includes Jim Croce, Elvis Presley The Zombies, Gary Wright and Status Quo.

Good effort from all concerned to fund this new all-weather pitch in Mumbles –

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/mumbles-swansea-pitch-football-trundle-28025010

The Coal Authority aims to fix this collapsing road in Swansea for good –

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/swansea-killay-coal-authority-road-28023025

Weather forecast for Llanelli-on-sea today is ‘very tidy, definitely walking boots’.

McMillan Morning Notes (early walk) –

Brave garden daisies put the spring in November.

Blue and red child’s scooter at the roadside – just missing a child owner.

Emerald green rugby pitch just missing a few Wanderers.

There’s a little river starting on the hill path down to Stradey – leaves heading for the water park.

The most expensive postcodes in Wales –

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/welsh-homes/most-expensive-postcodes-wales-28049543

Quiz: 16 phrases you only hear in Wales –

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/fun-stuff/16-phrases-you-only-hear-28032256

Heart of Wales line has new community rail development officer –

https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/23897699.heart-wales-line-new-community-rail-development-officer/

Today’s random front page is the Stoke Evening Sentinel. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #buyapaper

Today’s South Wales Echo front page. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #BuyAPaper

Today’s South Wales Evening Post front page. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #BuyAPaper

Today’s Western Mail front page. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #buyapaper

One for my pals in the north. Today’s Daily Post front page. #SupportYourLocalPaper #RegionalFronts #BuyAPaper

Today’s playlist is a random mix from Spotify. Includes Scott Walker, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, The Divine Comedy and Leonard Cohen.

Carmarthenshire Council cabinet member urges chancellor for more funding –

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/carmarthenshire-council-cabinet-member-urges-chancellor-for-more-funding/

Capel Dewi launches touching Memory Tree to remember lost loved ones –

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/capel-dewi-launches-touching-memory-tree-to-remember-lost-loved-ones/

IT’S time for Remembrance – a time to reflect and to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

Everyone has an individual focus for Remembrance. It could be a grandad who died in World War Two or a relative killed in conflict in Afghanistan.

For me, most reflections are on the Falklands War – partly because (as a young Evening Post hack) I interviewed many servicemen and women on their return home to south Wales after the conflict.

The Falklands also carves an emotional scar because I knew one of the victims of the Sir Galahad disaster.

A total of 48 members of the British Armed Forces were killed when the RFA Sir Galahad, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship, was attacked while unloading soldiers at Bluff Cove in the Falklands on June 8, 1982.

It was Britain’s most lethal day of combat since World War Two. The loss accounted for nearly a fifth of all British losses during the Falklands War

The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards lost 32 of their number, including Guardsman Eirwyn Phillips from Carmarthen.

Members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Army Catering Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, 36 Engineer Regiment and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers were also killed.

Hundreds of others were injured, including Simon Weston (CBE), who suffered 49 percent burns and went on to be a media spokesman for those who fought in the Falklands.

After the attack, the Sir Galahad was sunk and later made an official war grave under the Protection of Military Remains Act.

The controversy over the Sir Galahad rumbles on today – a classic case of a ship being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The military maxim attributed to Aeschylus, the father of Greek tragedy, declares, ‘In war, truth is the first casualty’.

Finding the truth has been the task of many military historians down the years.

Yesterday, General Sir Michael Rose became the first senior commander of the Falklands War to state that there was a cover-up of the events leading up to the Sir Galahad tragedy.

General Sir Michael used a book review in Prospect magazine to target both barrels at military ineptitude.

The book in question is Crispin Black’s Too Thin For A Shroud, which draws on first-hand recollections from the Sir Galahad attack and a 1982 Royal Navy Inquiry, recently declassified and made accessible at Kew Archives.

General Sir Michael argues the Ministry of Defence still refuses to release other documents relating to the bombing of the Sir Galahad, something which, he says, reflects a tradition of cover-up in the Royal Navy.

In his book review, General Sir Michael writes, ‘Immediately after the disaster, the blame game started—with senior officers in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines openly seeking to blame the Welsh Guards and the Army for what (Crispin) Black calls a “cascade of crass blunders”, rather than admit their own responsibility.’

By all accounts, the official MoD Inquiry of that fateful day is the only Falklands file that has not been declassified: seven out of 12 key files remain secret. The MoD continues to stonewall requests to unseal all files, despite pressure from many Welsh MPs.

General Sir Michael repeats the words of one young Welsh Guardsman on board the Sir Galahad – “For 41 years (we) have felt nothing but blame and unworthiness for (our) role”.

The General concludes: “Surely it is time . . . for those who were actually responsible to finally be held to account.”

Too Thin For A Shroud is published by Gibson Square, price £20.

‘WHAT’S wrong with the younger generation today?’

That was the question rattling through my aged brain as I warmed myself by a roaring fire on Tuesday night.

It had become clear the youngsters on our street didn’t appreciate the hard effort (and cash) I’d put in stocking up on sweets and chocolates at Asda (other stores are available) in preparation for an expected queue of Trick or Treaters on Halloween.

Halloween came and went, with no knocks and rings on the doorbell.

The result is that we have been left with enough sweets and chocolates to slide an average-sized person into a diabetic coma.

Bang goes the autumn diet regime.

I registered my disappointment with my darling daughter, who knows a thing or two about the ‘youth’ etiquette and protocol about these matters.

“But, Dad,” she lectured (with eyes rolled skyward), “You didn’t play the game properly. You have to put some signals out on your front doorstep to encourage Trick or Treaters – a pumpkin, or something ghostly, for example.

“Children today are so well educated on these things that they don’t like to disturb the elderly and infirm on Halloween. The odd pumpkin or two is the signal they will get a friendly reception.”

Darling daughter is a teacher, so I will take the lesson in the (Halloween) spirit in which it was intended.

Next year, children of the street, I promise to do better. There will be pumpkins on the doorstep and freshly-purchased goodies for Trick or Treaters.

Twitter: @rlloydpr

Email: robertlloydpr@rlloydpr.co.uk

YES, it’s time to get ready for pantomime season in west Wales.

Oh, yes it is. Oh, no it isn’t. Oh, yes it is!

Yes, it definitely IS as Llanelli Musical Theatre Group will be presenting Puss in Boots in Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre between December 19 and 23.

Llanelli Musical Theatre Group will present a fresh take on the classic pantomime tale of ‘Puss In Boots’ in the intimate setting of Stiwdio Stepni.

There will be music, dancing and laughter throughout for the Purrr-fect traditional family pantomime for Christmas!

Tickets are £13 each, £45 for a family of four, or £10 each when booking 10 or more. Last year’s run sold-out very quickly, so you are advised to hurry and get your tickets.

There’s a treat in store for lovers of rock’n’roll as Showaddywaddy arrive at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli as part of their 50th Anniversary concert tour.

Showaddywaddy are billed as ‘The greatest rock ’n roll band in the world’.

It is a bold statement, but Showaddywaddy have lived up to that title for the last five decades!

Formed in 1973 in Leicester from several local bands, they have sold more than 20 million records and have toured all corners of the world.

Their concert will be a dynamic and uplifting show featuring their greatest hits, many of which reached number one in the pop charts of Europe – Under The Moon of Love, Three Steps to Heaven, Hey Rock & Roll, When, Blue Moon, Pretty Little Angel Eyes and many, many more.

The show is on November 18 and tickets are £27 & £26.

In Carmarthen, The Mersey Beatles will be performing at The Lyric Theatre on November 24.

The Mersey Beatles have been rocking sold-out shows around the globe since 1999 with their authentic and widely-acclaimed celebration of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

The band, (who clocked up more than 600 appearances in a 10-year residency at Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club) brilliantly exude the inner and outer spirit of the original Fab Four.

From the costumes, instruments, cheeky Scouse wit and, of course, that brilliant era-defining Mersey sound, The Mersey Beatles stunning live stage show is a gloriously presented hit-packed celebration of the music that changed the world.

Throughout two unforgettable hours, they take the audience on a fabulous ride through the ‘mop top’ hits of Beatlemania, the psychedelic creativity of Sgt Pepper to the melodic wonder and energy of the Fab Four’s later work.

Tickets are £25.

In Llanelli, the new Cradle Choir singing group is continuing its great work.

The next session at The Crochan room at Ffwrnes Theatre is on November 7.

You can book via the Ffwrnes box office or through the Theatrau Sir Gar website – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/shows/cradle-choir

The Cradle Choir is for people with dementia, their friends and families.

The Welsh National Opera (WNO) project is guarantees to brighten Tuesday afternoons with some joyous music, singing and laughs among friends!

Visitors don’t need to be able to read music. There are no auditions, no cost, all standards welcome!

To find out more contact Jennifer Hill 029 2063 5063 or 07891 765696 or email: jennifer.hill@wno.org.uk

You can find out more about Cradle Choirs at wno.org.uk/cradle

The project is delivered in partnership with Carmarthenshire Theatres

Meanwhile, Llanelli’s Curtain Up Theatre Company have revealed their plans for Christmas.

They will be performing for two nights at Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli, on Tuesday, December 5, and Wednesday, December 6 (7pm).

The show is called ‘Christmas Magic’ and will feature best loved songs from musical and movies.

The concerts are in aid of the Breakthro charity.

Curtain Up musical director John-Paul Jones said the concerts will feature songs from many iconic Christmas films, including Home Alone, Elf, The Muppets Christmas Carol and White Christmas.

Finally, if you are a fan of ballet, Swan Lake will be coming to The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on November 10.

The Crown Ballet will present Tchaikovsky’s great work.

Swan Lake is regarded as one of Tchaikovsky’s best works, featuring some of ballet’s most memorable music and breath-taking dance.

Swan Lake is a tale of two young women, Odette and Odilie, who resembles each other so strikingly one can easily be mistaken for the other.

It is the compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse. Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans while out hunting. When one of the swans turns into a beautiful young woman, he is instantly captivated – will his love prove strong enough to break the evil spell that she is under?

Swan Lake is full of mystery and romance and has captured the imagination of generations over the years and it continues to attract worldwide audiences, young and old.

For more information please visit: www.crown-ballet.co.uk

WE must begin with some sad news for followers of the music and choral scene in west Wales.

It was with great sadness that the members of Lleisiau’r Llan Choir learned of the sad passing of choir conductor Jill Evans.

It was a huge loss and the ‘hiraeth’ for her family, friends and community was considerable.

Jill received her education in Felinfoel Primary School, and later in Llanelli Girls’ Grammar School.

She then trained as a teacher at Cyncoed College in Cardiff.

Her first teaching post was as at Saron Primary School, and later she spent most of her career at Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, where she became the Deputy Head Teacher.

Jill was a highly regarded member of staff and contributed significantly to musical and cultural aspects of school life.

Under her leadership, the school had great success on a county and national level at the Urdd Eisteddfod.

As the co-founder of Lleisiau’r Llan choir, with the late Gaynor Long, Jill was a very accomplished conductor, and insisted on the highest standards as well as ensuring that rehearsals were an enjoyable and entertaining experience.

The choir was formed in 1995 with the intention of meeting together to sing, socialise and raise money for charities.

To date, more than £300,000 has been raised for both national and international charities including the Breast Care Unit at Prince Phillip Hospital, Tŷ Bryngwyn Hospice, Prada Willie Association UK, Maggie’s Swansea, Dementia Wales, the Salt Peter Trust and Llanelli Food Bank.

Under Jill’s direction, the choir has performed in many locations in south Wales.

Over the years, many concerts and different events have been organised, including grand concerts, charity dinners, Christmas carol services and Nosweithiau Llawen.

The choir also accepted invitations to participate in events organised by other societies and competed in Eisteddfodau.

2021 was the Choir’s 25th anniversary. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, it was impossible to make plans to note this special event.

However, in September 2022, a marvellous evening was held at the Diplomat Hotel to celebrate the special anniversary and to raise money for Marie Curie.

The choir presented a cheque of £4,400 to the charity in the 2022 Christmas concert.

Despite our sadness at the loss of our conductor and friend, members of the choir have decided to continue as a mark of respect and tribute to Jill.

A spokesman for the choir said: “We hope that this will prove to be Jill’s legacy to the choral and Welsh cultural life in Llanelli.”

In other news, just days after ‘wowing’ his home fans in Llanelli with a performance at Ffwrnes Theatre, Samuel Wyn-Morris now finds himself touring China.

Sam was one of the stars of the recent Loud Applause Rising Stars ‘Night With The Stars’ production staged at Ffwrnes.

He dashed home to take part in the show after completing rehearsals in London for the touring production of Titanic The Musical.

One of Sam’s roles will be as Frederick Fleet in the popular musical.

Sam recently completed a long series of shows with the UK touring production of Les Miserables, playing the role of Enjolras.

Before his departure for China, Sam said: “Titanic is a wonderful opportunity and a great show and I’m looking forward to the experience of touring China.”

Based on real passenger accounts, the musical premiered six months before the famous 1998 Titanic movie by director James Cameron.

“The musical is very much the beginning of this story, rather than a musical based on the movie,” said Danielle Tarento, the UK producer of the musical.

While the film focused on romance, this production emphasises more on the virtues of humanity.

“It is about a true story that happened. Every character you’ll see on the stage was a real person,” said Tarento when mentioning what makes this story so moving.

The latest touring production in China features a new cast of 25 actors who will play more than 126 roles. The cast includes eight members from the original London cast and 17 veteran West End performers.

All the sets, costumes and lighting have been shipped directly from London’s West End. The 600 costumes featured in the production are from the new movie musical.

Tarento said that the characters become a part of the crowd during the show, allowing the audience to feel as if they are passengers on the ship.

The winner of Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Scenic Design, Titanic The Musical also received a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations and a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Shanghai is the first leg of the production’s China tour. Shows will also be held in other cities including Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing.

Meanwhile, Llanelli’s Curtain Up Theatre Company have revealed their plans for Christmas.

They will be performing for two nights at Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli, on Tuesday, December 5, and Wednesday, December 6 (7pm).

The show is called ‘Christmas Magic’ and will feature best loved songs from musical and movies.

The concerts are in aid of the Breakthro charity.

Curtain Up musical director John-Paul Jones said the concerts will feature songs from many iconic Christmas films, including Home Alone, Elf, The Muppets Christmas Carol and White Christmas.

Finally, if you are a fan of ballet, Swan Lake will be coming to The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on November 10.

The Crown Ballet will present Tchaikovsky’s great work.

Swan Lake is regarded as one of Tchaikovsky’s best works, featuring some of ballet’s most memorable music and breath-taking dance.

Swan Lake is a tale of two young women, Odette and Odilie, who resembles each other so strikingly one can easily be mistaken for the other.

It is the compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse. Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans while out hunting. When one of the swans turns into a beautiful young woman, he is instantly captivated – will his love prove strong enough to break the evil spell that she is under?

Swan Lake is full of mystery and romance and has captured the imagination of generations over the years and it continues to attract worldwide audiences, young and old.

For more information please visit: www.crown-ballet.co.uk