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Given last week’s holiday, let’s talk Turkey. Not the bird this time – the country. Last month, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel for the first time since 2018, and unsurprisingly, the key theme was the future security of the Israeli state. While there was much discussion on Gaza and Hamas, another potential threat loomed in the background: Turkey.
Those who know me know that I have always harbored suspicions of Turkish President Erdogan, stemming from hearing a college professor describe Erdogan in fawning terms that directly contradicted stories of his brutal authoritarian reign shared by my Turkish friends. Then, as now, it struck me that Erdogan was just attempting to placate the elites – suggesting partnership while advancing his real designs to reconstitute the Ottoman Empire. Since then, Erdogan’s actions have only caused my suspicions to grow.
Under his leadership, Turkey has continuously provided material support for Hamas, including reportedly granting citizenship to terrorists like the late Ismail Haniyeh and operating multiple financial centers that were designated by the United States for laundering money to Hamas. Erdogan has called directly for the destruction of Israel, asking “May Allah make Zionist Israel destroyed and devastated.” It is no surprise that Israelis are suspicious of Erdogan's interest in providing troops for the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, along with his burgeoning relationship with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
But it is not just Israel that should have concerns. America also needs to be extremely clear-eyed about Erdogan. The U.S.-Turkey relationship has always been fraught and complicated, and despite being a member of NATO, Turkey’s flirtation with Russian President Vladimir Putin is deeply troubling. We have already been forced to ban Turkey from the F-35 program due to Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400s. Turkey has also threatened to close key American bases like Incirlik as leverage in diplomatic negotiations, understandably alarming U.S. policymakers.
And yet, Turkey remains a key U.S. ally. While it may be true that we would be weaker without our relationship with Turkey, policymakers must have no illusions about who Erdogan is or where our interests converge and differ. As Lord Palmerston said, “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.” Our interests today may require a continued strategic partnership with Turkey, but they also require U.S. policymakers make clear to Erdogan his expansionist ambitions and continued support for terrorism are unacceptable.
- Carrie Filipetti, Executive Director of The Vandenberg Coalition
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