Erdogan's extended rule and its global implications

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won another five-year term as president of Turkey, with his party securing a majority in parliament. Experts predict that Turkey will continue with its semi-independent foreign policy, balancing and hedging among great powers, while maintaining its ambivalent stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Erdogan's first priority will be the Turkish economy, which is currently battling slow growth, low reserves, and high inflation. He is expected to seek to refuel central bank reserves by maintaining strong economic ties with Russia. Erdogan is also likely to continue Turkey's military support and ongoing projects in the defense sphere, while rattling the saber occasionally for effect in the "zone beyond NATO" for Turkish security.