Shifts in U.S. Diplomacy: A New Approach to Autocratic Leaders
When President Joseph R. Biden Jr. convened democracy summits at the White House in 2021 and 2023, he made a notable decision to exclude President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. Biden had previously labeled Erdogan an “autocrat,” suggesting that he deserved to be ousted by the electorate. However, the political landscape has shifted dramatically.
In a surprising turn, former President Donald Trump recently provided a much more favorable evaluation of Erdogan during a gathering of U.S. ambassadors. He referred to the Turkish president as “a good leader,” conveniently overlooking the recent unrest in Turkey, where protests erupted following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Erdogan’s primary political opponent. This omission raised eyebrows and highlighted the contrasting diplomatic philosophies between the two administrations.
Since taking office just over two months ago, Trump has fundamentally altered a key tenet of American foreign policy. Rather than condemning leaders who stray from democratic norms, he has embraced them, signaling a departure from the longstanding bipartisan commitment to promoting democratic values worldwide. This new approach seems to celebrate authoritarian tendencies, as Trump praises those who undermine democratic principles.
Moreover, Trump’s own actions—retaliating against political adversaries, attacking legal institutions, journalists, and universities, and undermining judicial authority—have set a concerning precedent. Such behavior may inspire democratically elected leaders in countries like Serbia and Israel to similarly test the limits of their political institutions.
In Trump’s words, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey is indeed “a good leader,” a statement made at the recent meeting of U.S. ambassadors at the White House. This endorsement underscores the evolving nature of U.S. diplomacy under his administration.
