Turkey’s president has announced May 14 as the date for the country’s next parliamentary and presidential elections. These elections are drawing the attention of the world, and many - including The Economist - are describing them as the country’s last chance for democracy. Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and a Turkey expert, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the stakes involved in these elections for Turkey’s democracy. We also look at how these elections could impact a number of key issues in Turkey’s relations with the US and the West, from the potential sale of American F-16s to Turkey to its continued threats in the Aegean. 

Read Steven Cook’s latest in Foreign Policy: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Turkey

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Turkey could be on the brink of dictatorship

Sweden cannot expect Turkey’s support for Nato membership, Erdoğan warns

CFR: Conflicts to Watch in 2023

Chief diplomats boycott Libya-hosted Arab League meeting

Libya in a state of isolation

Athens, Istanbul mayors send message of peace