A biography for Recep Tayyip Erdoganhasn’t been written yet.
“Those who stand on our side in the fight against terrorism are our friend. Those on the opposite side are our enemy.”
“Strong families lead to strong nations.”
“But foremost, I do not subscribe to the view that Islamic culture and democracy cannot be reconciled.”
“In other words, the bar should be maintained at the level of a pluralistic and participatory democracy.”
“Russia is not engaged in a fight against Daesh in Syria. On the contrary, they are actually targeting moderate opposition.”
“If you think you can finish ISIS off with the PYD and YPG, you cannot, because they are terrorist groups as well.”
“Islamophobia emerged from the Western countries, and this is a challenge that we all together need to surmount.”
“Once the people of Iraq know when the U.S. troops will leave, their confidence in the U.S. will increase.”
“Turkey is a sovereign state, just like the U.S. We might go to different directions, in terms of our impressions and ideas, but we'll always remain friends.”
“A political party cannot have a religion. Only individuals can. Otherwise, you'd be exploiting religion, and religion is so supreme that it cannot be exploited or taken advantage of.”
“All terror groups are bad, and we shall fight them all.”
“If the E.U. is going to make Turkey a full member, we are ready.”
“Germany has become an important haven for terrorists.”
“Therefore, the question is not whether such democratization is possible, but instead how to meet the yearning of the masses in the Middle East for democracy; in other words, how to achieve democratization in the Middle East.”
“In this country, there is a segregation of Black Turks and White Turks. Your brother Tayyip belongs to the Black Turks.”
“I am one of the first political leaders officially declaring that anti-Semitism is a crime. I expect an official declaration that Islamophobia is a crime against humanity as well.”
“My nation wants the death penalty. That is the decision of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.”
“According to this view, democracy is a product of western culture, and it cannot be applied to the Middle East which has a different cultural, religious, sociological and historical background.”
“We have to fight all terrorist groups, and not arm one to fight another.”
“Everyone should unconditionally accept that Israel is an indispensable element of the Middle Eastern mosaic.”