Biden has to keep it up
Two researchers: The stability of "NATO" depends on the strength of US-Turkish relations
NATO cannot dispense with the Turkish forces.
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Biden and Erdogan .. A new approach to the relationship.
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The S-400 missile deal is not the only reason for the tense US-Turkish relationship.
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Relations between the United States and Turkey have recently gone through twists and turns, and tension and attraction, for several reasons, but the two countries still share common ground on which to build, to solve the problems of the past and make a new beginning.
The two researchers, Professor of Humanities at Stanford University, Russell Berman, who specializes in Arab-American relations, and head of the Center for Cooperation and Peacebuilding for Studies in Lebanon, Dr. Dania Koleilat Al-Khatib, said in a report published by the American “National Interest” magazine, that “President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet And Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on June 14.
Although the bilateral relations between the two countries have been significantly damaged due to the decisions taken by both sides, over the past few years, the upcoming meeting presents an opportunity to repair some of the damage.
The two presidents should not squander the opportunity.”
Reasons for rebuilding the alliance
Each side has strong reasons for rebuilding this important alliance, but every president also faces internal political opposition that is pushing them into a protracted confrontation, between anti-Turkish sentiment among progressive Democrats in Congress, and widespread anti-Americanism among Turkish voters.
Breaking this deadlock will require diplomacy, leadership, and most importantly, real steps on the part of both Biden and Erdogan, but it is primarily up to Biden to reach out to Erdogan, to take the first step and to move the relationship forward fruitfully.
The United States is linked with Turkey as allies under the umbrella of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and they share a long history of cooperation, and their strategic interests are aligned on the main points, especially in the face of Russia, for which NATO is vital.
However, an alliance strength would be impossible without real cooperation between Washington and Ankara.
Turkey is not only the second largest army in the alliance, second only to the United States, but NATO itself is facing skepticism from key European members.
French President Emmanuel Macron has declared NATO "clinically dead", and Germany's reluctance to contribute proportionately to collective defense is well known.
vague vision
Given the ambiguous view of major European countries toward security, Biden should do everything in his power to preserve Turkey's stability within NATO, the researchers say.
And if Erdogan chooses to cater to the anti-US Turkish public opinion and leave the alliance — or expel the United States from Incirlik Air Base — NATO could disappear.”
Although there is largely agreement between the Turkish and American agenda regarding confronting Moscow, whether in the Black Sea, Syria or Libya, there is a long list of other points of contention.
Washington has criticized the Turkish decision to purchase the Russian S-400 missile system, and there is resentment at the domestic repressive measures, which are being treated as human rights violations.
Likewise, Biden's recent statement about Ottoman responsibility for the Armenian Genocide has put pressure on the US image in Turkey.
Meanwhile, Erdogan and much of the Turkish public believe that the United States is deliberately protecting Fethullah Gulen, who is seen as the force behind the 2016 coup attempt.
conflict
More generally, the United States and Turkey quarrel over a range of regional issues, including disputes in the eastern Mediterranean, and the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Rather than dealing with these problems individually, Biden should embark on a comprehensive diplomatic strategy based on mutually beneficial discussions and compromises to stabilize the alliance.
Such a strategy would be consistent with the Biden administration's narrative that "America is coming back" and its insistence on centralizing diplomacy.
The two researchers believe that "there are several points of contention that can be sought to find a solution, in order to improve relations between the two sides."
The divisive difference between Turkey and the United States revolves around the conflict in northeastern Syria, and the partnership the United States has forged with the Kurdish forces of the People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Turkey views both groups as an existential threat.
A bold move by Biden on this point would greatly improve bilateral relations.
The dispute over the S-400 missiles needs a quick solution.
The United States should offer Turkey an alternative, Patriot missiles, and return Turkey to the F-35 program.
However, this offer should be linked to Turkey's commitment not to seek other weapons that could endanger NATO.
Although the Turkish government has not provided the United States with sufficient evidence to justify Gulen's extradition, Turkish citizens who have complaints with Gulenists can be encouraged to file lawsuits in American courts.
Such a move could prove the effectiveness of US rule of law to Erdogan and Turkish public opinion.
Despite certain sensitivities in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Turkey, the United States should actively engage as a mediator in the region.
It should push for a Turkish-Saudi rapprochement, in which the two countries find common ground, for example, in Syria, Iraq, and Libya, and in curbing Iran's destabilization efforts.
The United States should likewise reduce tensions between Turkey and Israel.
Turkey should also be given the credit it deserves for its cooperation with respect to Ukraine.
Depoliticizing the dispute
The United States could depoliticize the dispute over maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, and encourage a cooperative and technical solution.
In the absence of American leadership, this problem will only get worse.
The United States should also build on the historic partnership with Turkey, where interests overlap in the Black Sea, Syria, Libya, and Somalia.
In fact, Biden should make clear that recognizing the suffering of the Armenians is not an attack on the Republic of Turkey.
At the conclusion of their report, the two researchers say that “there is nothing simple among these problems that cause turmoil in the bilateral relations between the United States and Turkey.
Each problem requires goodwill and compromise.
But unless the United States begins a broad-based reconciliation strategy, these problems will eventually escalate and explode.
Given the danger posed by the potential rupture between Ankara and Washington, the matter is urgent.
Biden must seize the opportunity to rebuild better, and put these bilateral relations back on a solid foundation.”
Each side has strong reasons for rebuilding this important alliance, but every president also faces internal political opposition that is pushing him toward a protracted confrontation, between anti-Turkish sentiment among progressive Democrats in Congress, and widespread anti-Americanism among Turkish voters.
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