Brian Grodsky, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Vladimir Putin’s recent re-election was bad news for democracy in Russia. And it’s a major loss in the struggle for liberalism, as anti-democratic leaders are assuming power across the globe.
Turkey’s June 24 elections are the first in 16 years that could be politically meaningful. Opposition parties seem revitalised and could launch anti-Erdoğan coalition into the second round.
Despite a devastating toll in the seven-year conflict, which has seen 400,000 people killed and six million displaced, there is no end in sight for the people of Syria.
Over the past three decades, Turkey has launched countless operations across the Iraqi and Syrian borders, succeeding only in making matters worse for itself. This time may be no different.
Turkey’s actions have arguably improved the situation in Somalia over the past six years but its increasing role could bring it on a collision course with other states.
Other regions may be helpful to Erdoğan for a short time, but they cannot substitute the economic and political contributions Turkey requires of Europe.
This referendum is the first time in the democratic history of Turkey that an election has been seen as illegitimate by not only domestic contenders, but by international observers as well.
Associate Professor in Islamic Studies, Director of The Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and Executive Member of Public and Contextual Theology, Charles Sturt University