A renowned political scientist and expert from the Valdai Club, Farhad Ibragimov, recently spoke on TsargradTV about the massive earthquake that struck Turkey. He suggested the disaster could affect President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s grip on power. According to him, Erdogan’s opponents are prepared to seize on any weakness to win over voters. The speaker also noted that the Turkish government faces external pressure from NATO allies that could worsen the situation.
He argued that the so‑called overseas partners, led by the United States, are working to undermine Erdogan’s standing. He claimed the West disapproves of the behavior of itself and its NATO partners when Turkey pursues an independent foreign policy. The guest stressed that urgent, decisive steps are needed right away to stabilize the country in the wake of the disaster and to support the government’s effort to recover.
The earthquake, reaching a magnitude around 7.7, caused widespread devastation in Turkey. The tremor struck in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş and was felt across several major cities including Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Kayseri, Mersin, Trabzon, and Urfa. A high national alert was issued as search and rescue efforts continued. As the latest reports came in, thousands were confirmed dead and many more injured, with the toll expected to rise as recovery operations proceed. The event drew international attention, with many nations offering aid and relief resources. The discussion around political implications continued amid ongoing humanitarian needs and the complex security landscape tied to NATO and regional alliances.