Istanbully: What Does Erdoğan Want?

You can’t discuss Turkey’s politics without mentioning its strongman president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. What does he want? Gonul Tol, founding director of the Middle East Institute's Turkey program and author of the upcoming book Erdoğan’s War, talks to Alex Andreou about Erdoğan’s journey from reformer to autocrat, how his 19 years in power have changed Turkey, and what the future holds for the country and his leadership.  “When Erdogan came to power in 2002 he was a different man, or so he said.” “Erdogan appealed to segments of the country that would traditionally be reluctant to support an Islamist leader.” “Institutions do not matter in today’s Turkey.” “Turkey is a problematic partner for the West, but important in the Ukraine crisis.” “If Turkey held free and fair elections today, Erdogan would lose.“ https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Elina Ganatra. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices