Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the President of Turkey, with a tenure marked by 25 years of AK Party rule. Recent news highlights his engagement in international diplomacy, including meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. These discussions touched upon Turkey's relations with Russia and China, with Erdogan signaling potential further nuclear projects with Russia, while emphasizing that these ties do not signify a turn away from the West. Domestically, Turkey has seen anti-LGBTQ+ raids resulting in dozens of detentions. Additionally, the European Court of Human Rights has criticized Turkey's judiciary over the imprisonment of philanthropist Osman Kavala, ordering his release and citing a systemic problem with political opponents and human rights defenders. Erdogan's presidency continues to be a focal point for both foreign policy shifts and domestic human rights concerns.