The News Agents Turkey slides towards dictatorship. Why is the West so quiet?
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Mar 24, 2025 
Ilan Uzgell, the Deputy Chairman of Turkey's Republican People's Party, provides a critical view of the nation's political climate as protests erupt following the jailing of the main opposition leader. He discusses fears among youth who have only known Erdogan's rule, questioning if this is the end of democracy in Turkey. Uzgell draws alarming parallels between Erdogan and authoritarian leaders like Putin and Trump, highlighting Western inaction. The conversation also touches on the implications of corporate influences on freedom and ongoing international tensions.
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İmamoğlu's Arrest and Protests
- Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, was arrested on terrorism and corruption charges.
- Protests erupted after he was jailed, echoing a similar pattern to Putin's rise.
Turkey's Shift from Secularism
- Modern Turkey, founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, prioritized universal education, women's equality, and secularism.
- Erdogan, once a secular modernizer, has shifted towards Islamism during his 20-year rule.
Authoritarianism and Hypocrisy
- Erdogan's actions mirror Putin's power consolidation tactics and Trump's rhetoric against opponents.
- Elon Musk's blocking of opposition accounts on X contradicts his free speech advocacy.