Trump’s treatment of allies forces Putin’s ‘dear friend’ into uneasy embrace with Europe … but Brussels and Ankara need each other
www.telegraph.co.uk
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Secure at home, empowered in the Middle East and seen as indispensable in Europe, Mr Erdogan is eyeing the greatest bonanza of his quarter of a century in power. Nor is it just abroad where his might is being felt.
In the coming months, he is expected to lay the groundwork for constitutional change allowing him to remain in power beyond 2028, when he will be 74.
Given the risk of alienating such a vital ally and pushing him back into Moscow’s orbit, it is difficult to imagine many European leaders protesting.
Mr Erdogan has long been desperate to restore Turkey’s Ottoman sheen. Restoring the old empire may not be possible, but few Turks doubt that they now have a leader who is more sultan than president.
(In order not to spoil your appetite in the morning, I advise that Turks not read the comments)