Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Turkey's Builder of Bridges

Turkey's Builder of Bridges

Turkey's Prime Minister is that rarest of blends in the Islamic world: A deeply religious man with a talent for the rough and tumble of democratic politics. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says John Esposito of Georgetown University, is a "bridge builder." Before he came to power in 2003, Erdogan's opponents warned that his devout Islamic beliefs would spell trouble. But as Prime Minister, Erdogan has kept religion off the agenda. He banned alcohol in city-run cafes while mayor of Istanbul, and yet as Prime Minister has done nothing to limit drinking. During his election campaign, he spoke of the injustice of laws...

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