The Globalist Erdoğan’s crackdown on his political opponents intensifies
Jul 10, 2025
Jared Melson, a Middle East correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, joins forces with Navina Koutour, Monocle's Nairobi correspondent, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tim Weiner, and retail expert Rebecca Tay. They dive into Erdoğan's escalating repression of the Turkish opposition amid calls for early elections. Melson highlights recent arrests of mayors and the wider implications for democracy, while Weiner critiques contemporary CIA operations. Together, they explore the economic chaos enveloping Turkey and the ripple effects on Europe.
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Erdogan Targets Opposition Local Power
- Erdogan's government arrests opposition mayors to weaken their local control and influence in Turkish politics.
- Losing control over major cities threatens the opposition's resources and political power ahead of elections.
Turkey's Economic Struggles Impact Politics
- Turkey suffers from soaring inflation and economic hardship affecting ordinary citizens' quality of life.
- Economic woes contributed to the opposition's recent local election successes, reflecting voter dissatisfaction with the government.
EU Political Fractures Deepen
- EU's political center faces internal fractures highlighted by far-right parties influencing votes.
- The usual consensus-driven process is breaking down, risking legislative gridlock and weakening cohesion on key policies.