Turkey's leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has undergone significant transformations in his foreign and domestic policies, causing some to question his motivations and priorities.
According to experts, Erdoğan's anti-Israel sentiment is not solely driven by Islamism, but rather a reflection of his political calculation and desire for power.
As Turkey's economy slowed and regional ambitions faltered, Erdoğan pivoted to embracing Turkish nationalism, building alliances with hardline nationalist parties and cultivating his image as a strong leader.
Some supporters credit him with transforming Turkey into a regional power, while others believe he has restored dignity to conservative religious Turks who felt marginalized by the country's secular establishment.
However, critics argue that the price of Erdoğan's continued rule has been the erosion of Turkey's democratic institutions.
Authorities have increasingly used courts and investigations to sideline opposition figures, including the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in 2026, which sparked nationwide protests.
Despite this, Erdoğan has been working to repair relations with the United States and Europe, reversing his previous anti-Western rhetoric and disputes with Washington.
The shift in his stance is attributed to Turkey's growing strategic importance, particularly in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Turkey's control of the Bosporus and Dardanelles, its large military, and its role in the Black Sea make it a crucial player in the region, with the U.S. recently acknowledging its importance in the conflict.
However, critics argue that Erdoğan's latest embrace of NATO is a tactical move to maintain his power and control, rather than a genuine shift in his ideology.
Human Rights Watch has accused Erdoğan of using Turkey's growing importance to NATO as a pretext for expanding pressure on journalists, activists, and opposition figures.
Turkey's prisons are overcrowded, with more than 420,000 inmates, and its democratic institutions have been eroded, according to Freedom House, which has described Erdoğan as "increasingly authoritarian" over the past decade.
As the U.S. President heads to Turkey for a summit, experts say that understanding Erdoğan's domestic agenda requires recognizing that his policies are designed to maintain his power and control.
Ultimately, Erdoğan's leadership style and motivations remain a complex and unpredictable aspect of Turkey's politics, with far-reaching implications for the country and the region.
