2007 was a banner year for the Turkish Lira, which appreciated 21% against the US Dollar. However, in the year-to-date, the currency has returned nearly 10% of this gain, making it the third worst performing currency in the world. Turkey generally, and the Lira specifically, are considered by investors as proxies for emerging markets. The global trend towards risk aversion, as well as skyrocketing inflation, are hurting many such currencies. In Turkey, inflation is so problematic (9.4% at last count) that the Central Bank has raised its benchmark interest rate to 15.25%. Ironically, the more the Lira depreciates, the harder it becomes for the Central Bank to control inflation, causing the Lira to slide further as part of a self-perpetuating free-fall. In addition, the country is beset by political uncertainty, as the courts determine whether the nation’s current government can stay in office. Bloomberg News reports:

"The recent political developments are likely to complicate policy-making and the investment climate. The deteriorating political backdrop will in turn undermine the prospects for restoring fiscal discipline and reviving the reform agenda."

Read More: Lira Goes From First to Worst as Politics Whack Bulls