Columbia University’s cancellation of forum on Turkey draws criticism

Columbia University’s decision to cancel a forum on freedom of expression in Turkey, scheduled to be held this week in New York, set off a widespread controversy among academics, foreign policy experts and diplomats over whether a prominent U.S. institution had bowed to pressure from the Turkish government.

“That really could be the only explanation for this,” said Steven A. Cook, senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and an expert on Turkish politics, who was scheduled to moderate the panel discussion.