Turkey’s largest city is dotted with the tombs of religious figures, where pilgrims seek divine intervention. “When you ask for something from God, those who are beloved by God can be a go-between.”
NATO leaders wanted to welcome Sweden as a new member at next week’s summit, but stalling by Hungary and objections from Turkey have made that nearly impossible.
Turkey’s leader faced a criminal conviction, mass protests and a coup. Instead of hurting or ending his political career, they helped him accumulate ever more control.
Turkey’s president has made a spectacle of the Ottoman past, using monuments and TV shows to rally his voters. His cultural opponents have faced censorship, or jail.