On Friday, President Trump tweeted that he would be discussing a means to achieve peace in the Middle East with the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan:
In April, the people of Turkey voted “yes” on a referendum that would grant Erdoğan extraordinary new powers as president.
According to the BBC, the referendum would allow Erdoğan, should he win the 2019 presidential election, to “have a five-year tenure, for a maximum of two terms.”
Moreover, “the president [would] be able to directly appoint top public officials, including ministers.” He would also have the authority to appoint “one or several vice-presidents.” Additionally, Turkey would no longer have a prime minister, and states of emergency could be implemented at Erdoğan’s discretion.
On May 16, during Erdoğan’s visit to the United States, a group of protesters who were assembled outside the Turkish embassy were attacked by a number of people, including some of Erdoğan’s security personnel.
In a widely publicized video, Erdoğan can be seen standing outside his vehicle, appearing to watch the protesters getting beaten.
In August, 19 people were indicted over the incident, 15 of whom were “Turkish security officials,” reports the Chicago Tribune. They were “charged with conspiracy to commit a crime of violence.”
The above are just two notes in a symphony of despotic behavior from Erdoğan. If Trump is seeking guidance regarding peace in the Middle East, Turkey’s president should be at the bottom of his list of confidants.