Senior Middle East and North Africa Analyst at RANE, Stratfor
MIN READJan 29, 2021 | 22:42 GMT
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he gives a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on September 21, 2020.
(ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Turkey’s traditionally combative leader is trying his hand at a more conciliatory approach, as the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic erodes his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)’s political standing. His warm words, however, will likely remain just that. In recent months, Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan has promised economic and judicial reforms at home and diplomacy with Europe, the United States and Israel abroad. But this notable shift in tone is likely aimed at shoring up investor confidence and avoiding sanctions just long enough for the Turkish economy to get back on track -- at which point, Ankara will probably return to its former confrontational self....
