Bloomberg: 'Erdoğan is betting the world will look the other way'... A striking analysis of Turkey and İmamoğlu
Publishing an analysis on the arrest of CHP's presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Bloomberg stated that Erdoğan believes he will not face a reaction from the world. The analysis suggests that reactions to İmamoğlu's detention remain limited because Turkey is a key ally for the US and Europe.
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12punto FOREIGN NEWS
US-based news agency Bloomberg has prepared an analysis regarding the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. In the article titled ''Erdoğan is Betting the World Will Look the Other Way at the Turmoil in Turkey'', it was noted that AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan anticipates that NATO allies will focus more on strategic cooperation than on Turkey's struggle for democracy.
Bloomberg's analysis stated that thousands of people took to the streets in protest following İmamoğlu's arrest. The analysis reported that reactions from Western allies have remained limited. Bloomberg pointed to Turkey's increasing geopolitical importance for Europe and the US as the reason for this situation.
Emphasizing that Turkey possesses the second-largest army in NATO, the article stated that Erdoğan plays a key role in international politics, from Ukraine to the Middle East. It was pointed out that Turkey's strategic importance has increased at a time when the US and Europe are preoccupied with security issues.
US RESPONSE IS WEAK
The analysis underscored that international reactions have been weak. A former German chancellor described İmamoğlu's detention as 'depressing'. The US Department of State, meanwhile, treated the matter as an internal affair of Turkey. White House Press Secretary Tammy Bruce added in her second statement on the issue that they are closely monitoring the events. Washington has not issued a new statement following İmamoğlu's arrest.
It was recalled that İmamoğlu won Istanbul in the 2019 local elections by defeating Erdoğan's candidate. It was also noted that he was influential in the success of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in the elections held last year.
Bloomberg suggested that while Erdoğan cannot run in the 2028 elections, there may be attempts to amend the constitution.
The analysis also touched upon Turkey's role as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war and its developing relations with Syria, alleging that in his meeting with US President Donald Trump, Erdoğan requested that Turkey be readmitted to the F-35 program and that defense sanctions be lifted.