One theory is psychological: From Putin to Erdogan to Kim, the president has a thing for authoritarians in the mold of his father. Does he long for the power these men yield — or does he long to yield to their power? A second theory is that Trump is cultivating his extensive business ties in Turkey. These theories aren’t incompatible: As with so much else in Trump’s world, personal psychodrama, commercial venality, political self-dealing, and moral folly freely mix. Erdogan, a longtime Islamist and recent ally of Russia, is the most dangerous leader it has ever had.

Source: New York Times November 16, 2019 01:41 UTC