But such opportunities must be grasped with care. Turkey’s President Erdoğan is anticipating some good grasping:
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance’s Ataşehir Service Building in Istanbul, President Erdoğan said: “Turkey has become a powerful regional actor at a scale never seen in its recent history. Our country’s position in global power index assessments is increasing with each passing year. We are now close than ever to our goal of great and strong Turkey. Once we safely carry our country to 2023, we will have made Turkey an unstoppable power.” [Office of the Turkish Presidency]
Given the source, the statement should be taken with the due grain of salt. It remains a reflection, though, of the ambitions of the Turkish President, a man whose legal qualifications for the office were, at one time and perhaps still are, in doubt, and has presided over the Islamic takeover of the formerly secular government.
It’s a sad situation for Turkey. They may experience some temporary sugar rushes, but in the end, the standard theological intolerance and incompetency will be quite a challenge.
