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Erdogan charts victory lap in Washington

Even as controversy rages in Turkey, newly empowered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to already be gaining international legitimacy and is making plans to visit Washington for formal talks.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTS12NX1

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s push for international legitimacy after narrowly winning a fraud-tainted referendum on expanding the powers of his office is gaining ground, especially in Washington, with unpredictable effects on the ongoing US campaign against the Islamic State.

After receiving a congratulatory telephone call from President Donald Trump on April 17, Erdogan, who has long angled for an invitation to Washington but was quietly rebuffed by the Obama administration, has now apparently gotten that too.

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