Frank Langfitt

And what did you learn?

And what did you learn?

And what did you learn?

And so what they said they realized they needed to do was connect the concept of people's rights to practical issues they were struggling with. And, you know, everything from like access to social services to the things that they sort of needed in their day-to-day lives. And she says, you know, it took a few years, but they're finally working much more effectively with grassroots groups.

And so what they said they realized they needed to do was connect the concept of people's rights to practical issues they were struggling with. And, you know, everything from like access to social services to the things that they sort of needed in their day-to-day lives. And she says, you know, it took a few years, but they're finally working much more effectively with grassroots groups.

And so what they said they realized they needed to do was connect the concept of people's rights to practical issues they were struggling with. And, you know, everything from like access to social services to the things that they sort of needed in their day-to-day lives. And she says, you know, it took a few years, but they're finally working much more effectively with grassroots groups.

It's a really interesting time. Orban has some big challenges. He's facing a much more energized opposition, and it's led by a former protégé who's actually ahead of Orban in the polls. And in Turkey, after more than two decades, Erdogan's competitive authoritarian model, it's under a lot of strain. In March, police arrested the Istanbul mayor. This is Erdogan's main rival in any future election.

It's a really interesting time. Orban has some big challenges. He's facing a much more energized opposition, and it's led by a former protégé who's actually ahead of Orban in the polls. And in Turkey, after more than two decades, Erdogan's competitive authoritarian model, it's under a lot of strain. In March, police arrested the Istanbul mayor. This is Erdogan's main rival in any future election.

It's a really interesting time. Orban has some big challenges. He's facing a much more energized opposition, and it's led by a former protégé who's actually ahead of Orban in the polls. And in Turkey, after more than two decades, Erdogan's competitive authoritarian model, it's under a lot of strain. In March, police arrested the Istanbul mayor. This is Erdogan's main rival in any future election.

And this set off the largest protests in Turkey in a decade. Another Turkish scholar that I spoke to, who teaches at Middlebury College, her name is Şebnem Gamuşu. And she's actually in Turkey right now doing research, and she's been watching this all play out.

And this set off the largest protests in Turkey in a decade. Another Turkish scholar that I spoke to, who teaches at Middlebury College, her name is Şebnem Gamuşu. And she's actually in Turkey right now doing research, and she's been watching this all play out.

And this set off the largest protests in Turkey in a decade. Another Turkish scholar that I spoke to, who teaches at Middlebury College, her name is Şebnem Gamuşu. And she's actually in Turkey right now doing research, and she's been watching this all play out.

The mayor, this guy who was arrested, he's still in prison. And Gamuchu says the country is at an inflection point because Erdogan, he can no longer keep up the pretense that this is a free and fair democratic system.

The mayor, this guy who was arrested, he's still in prison. And Gamuchu says the country is at an inflection point because Erdogan, he can no longer keep up the pretense that this is a free and fair democratic system.

The mayor, this guy who was arrested, he's still in prison. And Gamuchu says the country is at an inflection point because Erdogan, he can no longer keep up the pretense that this is a free and fair democratic system.

Yeah, I mean, a competitive authoritarian system, it doesn't really work for a ruling party if it ends up losing major elections.

Yeah, I mean, a competitive authoritarian system, it doesn't really work for a ruling party if it ends up losing major elections.

Yeah, I mean, a competitive authoritarian system, it doesn't really work for a ruling party if it ends up losing major elections.

Yeah, it's a great question, Aisha. I talked to 14 scholars, and the vast majority are, I think, are very worried about an authoritarian slide. But there are some who see things differently, and I think it's worth listening to them.

Yeah, it's a great question, Aisha. I talked to 14 scholars, and the vast majority are, I think, are very worried about an authoritarian slide. But there are some who see things differently, and I think it's worth listening to them.