The Great Battlefield Erdogan, Orban and Trump and the Backsliding of Democracy with Asli Aydintasbas
Jan 2, 2026
Asli Aydintasbas, a senior policy fellow and expert on Turkish politics, delves into the worrying trends of democratic backsliding observed in Turkey, Hungary, and the U.S. She draws fascinating parallels between Erdogan, Orban, and Trump, highlighting the tools used to consolidate power. However, she expresses cautious optimism about the U.S. due to its structural strengths, including federalism and lifetime judges. Aydintasbas also emphasizes the importance of addressing economic concerns to counter populism and the need for authentic leadership in future elections.
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Democracy Backslides Slowly
- Autocratic backsliding is a slow, incremental process that takes years rather than months.
- The U.S. federal structure, lifetime judges, and free‑speech culture make complete state capture much harder.
Reporting Erdogan's Institutional Capture
- Asli lived and reported in Turkey during Erdogan's rise and witnessed institutional capture firsthand.
- She describes how early EU‑style reforms morphed into tools used to punish opponents and concentrate power.
How Populists Neutralize Dissent
- Populists target media, tax authorities, and courts to neutralize critics and force sales to cronies.
- Crises like security threats or coups accelerate acceptance of emergency powers and purges.