The Turkish political environment is becoming increasingly autocratic, as evidenced by a recent court ruling against the opposition party CHP and the violent takeover of its headquarters. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appears willing to employ any means necessary to consolidate power, particularly in light of potential electoral challenges. Meanwhile, Germany continues to court Turkey as a security partner, despite concerns regarding Ankara’s commitment to EU rule-of-law standards. This complex relationship raises questions about the reliability of Turkey as a partner in defense collaborations, especially as it appears to drift towards more authoritarian governance.