June 26, 2018
Three foreign leaders were quick to call Mr. Erdogan to congratulate him on his presidential victory — Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. A brief imagining of what each might have said.
Orban: Recep! Nicely done. Love what you’ve done with the place — controlling media and the courts is pretty real, right? Listen, can’t help but notice that you’re still housing 3.4 million refugees from Syria. If you… eh… have any plans to stick it to the EU by letting them through, let’s talk ahead of time, shall we? Btw, if you need any anti-Soros swag, I’ve got TONS left over.
Putin: Recep Ahmetovich! Only 52% of the vote and a coalition in parliament? Psht! If people really think you’re trying to be me, you’ve got a long way to go, patsan… But anyway, nicely done and of course, next time NATO or the Europeans give you grief, I’ve got that relief.
Rouhani: Hi. Hassan here. Thanks for taking my call. . . Hello? . . Oh good, you’re still there. Listen, nice job with the election — remember, our annual Implacable Opponents of Israel and Saudi and the Kurds BBQ/Bakesale is coming up and you haven’t RSVP’d, but I know you’ve been busy — see you there?
More For You
US Vice President JD Vance before boarding Air Force Two, after the US and Iran held high-level talks at the Lake Lucerne Summit, at Emmen Military Air Base, Emmen, Switzerland, on June 22, 2026.
REUTERS/Nathan Howard/Pool
Two years ago, Donald Trump picked the then-Ohio senator to be his running mate, putting him in pole position to be the next Republican presidential nominee. Since entering office, though, Vance has stumbled, possibly opening the door to challengers.
Most Popular
Think you know what's going on around the world? Here's your chance to prove it.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte arrives before the start of her impeachment trial hearing at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 7, 2026.
REUTERS/Noel Celis/Pool
The Senate trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has turned a family feud into a fight over the Philippines’ political future — and its place between the US and China.
The day after announcing her candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, Marine Le Pen (National Rally – RN), accompanied by Jordan Bardella, made her first campaign appearance during a visit to the market in La Fleche, in the Sarthe department, on July 8, 2026.
Frederic Petry / Hans Lucas
After a French court shortened her ban on holding public office, Marine Le Pen announced that she will run for president again next year. But can she finally win?
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.
