The Son-in-Law Problem What Hungary's election, Jared Kushner's fund, and two Turkish damats tell us about the shape of autocratic rot

In this week's newsletter @ekoshy.bsky.social writes about the "damat" economy in authoritarian countries and its consequences for domestic politics, foreign policy, and the possible/eventual decline of strongmen itallhappenedbefore.substack.com/p/the-son-in...

The Son-in-Law Problem What Hungary's election, Jared Kushner's fund, and two Turkish damats tell us about the shape of autocratic rot

Why do sons-in-law keep ending up at the center of power? From Ottoman damats to Kushner to Orbán’s Tiborcz. This week @baykurt.bsky.social and I on in-law power, nepotism, and what Hungary just told us. Subscribe! Episode + newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/itallhap...
#Hungary #democracy

Episode 5: We’ve Seen Nepotism Before <p>In this episode, we go deep into the role of family in political power, unpacking how nepotism operates under the cloak of democracy. From Donald Trump’s inner circle—Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump...

Why is it always sons-in-law who engage in the most nepotistic behavior in authoritarian settings? @ekoshy.bsky.social and I compare and contrast Trump, Erdogan, Orban (and their sons-in-law) to come up with a typology of nepotism in the family. itallhappenedbefore.riverside.com/e/episode-5-...

What happens inside newsrooms after media capture? @ekoshy.bsky.social & I have Matt Powers (who co-authored a great paper w/ @ozanmask.bsky.social) to talk about the messy middle between heroic resistance and outright propaganda from TR to the US
itallhappenedbefore.substack.com/p/episode-4-...

Episode 4: We've Seen Journalists Adapt Before FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatens to revoke broadcast licenses over war coverage.

Our new episode explores how journalists adapt to hostile conditions. @baykurt.bsky.social and I talk to Matt Powers, who with @ozanmask.bsky.social examined Turkish newsrooms. Editors suppressing critical reporting. Convinced they were protecting journalism. open.substack.com/pub/itallhap...

Episode 3: We've Watched Media Get Captured Before In this episode of It All Happened Before, Ekin and Burcu use the CBS controversy as a doorway into a much older story — how media capture works precisely because it doesn't announce itself.

What happens when media owners don't need journalism and just need protection for their other businesses? @ekoshy.bsky.social and I use Turkey's case to undertand the trajectory of media capture in the US itallhappenedbefore.substack.com/p/episode-3-...

Bilge Yesil (@bilgeyesil) I discussed media capture in US and Turkey, and Trump and Erdogan’s media policies. Thanks for all the great questions @Ekin and @Burcu Baykurt

I discussed media capture in US and Turkey, and Trump and Erdogan’s media policies. Thanks for all the great questions @ekoshy.bsky.social @baykurt.bsky.social substack.com/profile/1782...

Episode 3: We've Watched Media Get Captured Before In this episode of It All Happened Before, Ekin and Burcu use the CBS controversy as a doorway into a much older story — how media capture works precisely because it doesn't announce itself.

Last month @victorpickard.bsky.social argued American media was already captured and some disagreed. Coming from Turkey, @ekoshy.bsky.social & I know capture rarely announced itself. It started with a tax fine and a nudge to a business friend. By the time it was visible on air, it was already done.

I'm trying to get a three-month supply of one of my medications for travel approved by insurance.The exact same drug, sold by the same company in the US and Turkey, costs $557 without insurance in the US but only $7 in Turkey (also without insurance). It's 79 times more expensive in the US. WOW!

🌍💙 I came to the U.S. from Istanbul with a deep curiosity and a longing for global connection. Today, as the world feels uncertain, I want our international students to know: You are not alone. Our community is here, strong and united. 💪 #supportinternationalstudents