EPISODE · Apr 10, 2026 · 56 MIN

The New Sultanate

from FDD's Foreign Podicy · host FDD, Cliff May

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States, Turkey offered a sliver of optimism in a region defined by turmoil — a Muslim-majority democracy, a NATO ally, and even a friend of Israel. But after more than two decades under the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, that Turkey is long gone. So, what happened? And what does it mean for America, NATO, Israel — and the future of the Middle East? FDD Turkey experts Sinan Ciddi and Jonathan Schanzer join host Cliff May to assess Turkey’s transformation, including the strategic consequences only now coming into focus.