A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has introduced legislation to redesignate Turkey from a European country to a Near Eastern country at the U.S. State Department. This move reflects Ankara’s shifting alliances with Russia, China, Iran, and Hamas, which are at odds with Western security interests. The Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act aims to formally recognize Turkey’s realignment away from the U.S. and NATO allies under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Lawmakers believe that Turkey’s actions are contrary to American interests and stability in the region.
Members of Congress leading this effort, including Reps. Brad Schneider and Gus Bilirakis, have expressed concerns about Turkey’s foreign policy choices under Erdogan. They argue that Turkey’s actions prop up Russia’s war machine, harbor Hamas operatives, and obstruct NATO unity, while still seeking privileges as a Western ally. The legislators believe it is time for American diplomacy to acknowledge the reality of Turkey’s behavior and hold Erdogan accountable for actions that are detrimental to U.S. interests. The bill aims to move Turkey’s designation within the State Department and conduct a review of the consequences of Turkey’s realignment away from Europe.
The Turkish government has pushed back against this initiative, asserting that Turkey’s European identity is an undeniable fact based on its historical and geostrategic position. Turkish officials emphasize the country’s membership in institutions like NATO, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE, as well as its associate EU status. They reject suggestions that Turkey is moving away from Europe and question the characterization of its foreign policy orientation. The proposed legislation reflects growing frustration among U.S. policymakers with Erdogan’s government and Turkey’s actions on the international stage.
Experts have also raised concerns about Turkey’s behavior, with some describing it as adversarial and at odds with U.S. interests. Turkey’s support for terrorist groups, including Hamas, and its efforts to undermine American interests within NATO have raised alarm bells among policymakers. Turkey’s deepening relationship with Russia, especially through the purchase of advanced military equipment, has further strained its ties with the U.S. and other NATO allies. The legislation aims to force the State Department to reassess Turkey’s diplomatic status within a specific timeframe and evaluate the implications of its realignment away from Europe.
Critics of Erdogan’s government argue that Turkey’s actions have increasingly posed challenges for U.S. policymakers, with concerns that their behavior could escalate to a more significant issue in the future. Turkey’s closeness to Russia, particularly during conflicts like the war in Ukraine, has raised questions about its commitment to Western security values. The legislation introduced by the bipartisan group of lawmakers seeks to address these concerns by holding Turkey accountable for its actions and enforcing consequences for its realignment away from Europe. The move reflects a broader effort to recalibrate U.S. foreign policy with regards to Turkey’s current trajectory and behavior on the international stage.
