Populist Surge: Former President's Turkey Trip Sparks Regional Buzz and Domestic Fury

This recent Turkish sojourn thus confirms that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remains a factor in the regional political discourse, capable of generating headlines and political friction simply by crossing a border. The lasting image of the trip is one of a populist leader reconnecting with a receptive audience, showcasing a form of political capital that extends beyond the current limitations of Iran's internal power structure and into the wider, complex geopolitical arena of the Middle East.