May: Longer Perspective (Le Monde Diplomacy

Twenty years ago in March 2003, Recep Tayyip Erdogan became Prime Minister of Turkey. On his May 14th of this year, he will be re-elected. His odds were drastically altered by deteriorating economic conditions and his February 6th earthquake, which pushed voters out and reduced Erdogan’s popularity. Also in March 2003, the US-led coalition invaded Iraq. George W. Bush declared war that same year — those responsible never answered the chaos and bloodshed that followed.

The French state’s tactics regarding popular protests have changed over the past century, from evasion to arresting “troublemakers.” Years of cuts are to blame for this year’s Greek train wreck between Athens and Thessaloniki. And a new cold war over AI is unfolding. The long view of the May issue is here.