Imo, Erdoğan is the only shot Turkey has not to be hijacked by foreign interests. Yes, he plays hardball, maybe even against some of its population but you try to run a country vs foreign interest pushed by various NGO, fake rebellion and media propaganda and you might end up like a person that would be labeled a dictator aswell (and hey love to use that word).

The West needs Turkey for its geostrategic location and unity in NATO and Turkey is barely playing ball. Don't underestimate they length the West will go through to undermine his power.