The ARD series *ERDOĞAN* sets out to uncover the truth: For the first time, former associates and confidants from Erdoğan’s inner circle describe this man’s journey from an unwavering idealist to a controversial ruler. Their accounts reveal the inner drive behind his rise and the mechanisms of his power: Why was he able to repeatedly turn political defeats into opportunities? Where does his political instinct come from—the ability to recognize key moments and exploit them to his advantage? How did he manage to be elected as the undisputed sole ruler?