The bilateral relationship between Turkey and the United States has entered a period of difficulty. Disagreements over several critical issues continue to strain Washington-Ankara ties. Abruptly announced travel restrictions by U.S. and Turkish authorities are seen as an expression of the worst crisis to hit the relationship in decades. Yet the relationship runs strong, and it should overcome the difficulties of the moment.
The friendship between the people of the United States and the people of Turkey runs deep -- it extends back to the Ottoman Empire. We continue to need each other as important allies. Regardless of political differences in bilateral relations, ordinary people have been contributing to and reinforcing the enduring links between the people of both countries through economic, academic, social, and cultural efforts. These links remain robust.
As both governments engage in diplomatic dialogue to swiftly resolve the travel restrictions, let’s not overlook the fact that despite numerous major domestic and regional crises, Turkey remains resilient and continues to work closely with the United States as a security partner -- a partnership that is a priority for both countries. Whether it is in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Syria, as NATO allies the United States and Turkey continue to work together in fighting major threats like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Following the diplomatic dispute, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis gave a reassuring statement indicating that “military relations had been unaffected” and Washington would “continue to work closely with Turkish counterparts.” The violent conflicts in Syria and Iraq, recently spilling past Turkey’s borders, are significant issues of international security. There is no questioning how critical U.S.-Turkey relations are to regional security and the management of crises in the Middle East.
Turkey is facing significant challenges that test its legacy of bilateral and NATO defense cooperation with its strategic ally, the United States. Geopolitical developments in the region have changed Turkey’s security landscape dramatically, and the country confronts enormous domestic and regional risks. Turkey’s domestic woes are well known: The country experienced its biggest domestic trauma last year in July when a faction within the Turkish armed forces tried and failed to carry out a coup. The Turkish government blames U.S.-based Turkish imam Fethullah Gulen as the coup’s alleged mastermind. Ankara has formally asked the United States to extradite Gulen and remains deeply concerned with the imam.
The civil war in Syria has become Turkey’s biggest regional security risk. The conflict has exposed Turkey’s domestic and regional vulnerabilities and undermined its security. Lack of a coordinated, pragmatic U.S. policy that is aimed at maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity, and Washington’s continued support of the People’s Protection Units (which Turkey views as a terrorist organization due to its links to the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers’ Party), have aggravated Turkey’s threat perceptions during a critical period. Following the coup attempt, U.S.-Turkey relations, which were already strained, entered a complicated period.
Despite these developments, it is important to emphasize how Turkey has continued to share strategic interests with the United States. For example, since 2011, the two countries have co-chaired the Global Counterterrorism Forum to help combat the rise of extremism. Ankara has also worked in conjunction with Washington to establish the first ever public-private global fund to support local efforts in countering violent extremism, and has taken a leading role at the Center of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism in Ankara to teach fellow NATO allies and select non-member states on how to address various terrorism-related issues. In other words, tensions and challenges in U.S.-Turkey relations cannot and will not change the fact that they continue to share strategic interests.
This relationship matters. If complications between the two allies fester, it will not only severely damage bilateral defense cooperation between the two largest militaries in NATO, but it will also contribute to the destabilization of both Turkey and its region. As Russia and Iran’s influence continues to grow in the region, it is essential that both countries move past their differences and strengthen their relationship. History shows that Turkey and the United States are stronger together than they are when they are apart.
