In the session titled “Turkey between East and West” held in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Türkiye-US relations as well as Türkiye’s strategic importance in the region in terms of US national interests were discussed.
In his opening remarks, Republican Keith Self, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Europe Subcommittee, said Türkiye’s future orientation between the West and the East and its relations with rivals such as the US, Europe, neighboring countries and Russia will be discussed. “Our goal is to examine Türkiye’s role in NATO,” Self said.
Self, who stated that Türkiye has historically aligned its foreign policy interests with NATO’s goals, argued that Ankara has taken some steps in the last 10 years that are not in line with NATO’s goals. Self, the Subcommittee Chair, continued: “In incidents such as the invasion of Ukraine and the October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, Turkey has supported the general agenda of the NATO alliance, but has refused to condemn the actions of treacherous actors in the Middle East who have acted as a mere member of NATO.”
“Türkiye is taking on the role of power broker in the vacuum in Syria”
Self criticized Türkiye for taking on the role of “power broker” in the vacuum created by regime change in Syria. Self also emphasized that the world, and especially America, will be closely watching whether Türkiye will reduce tensions with the Kurds. The Republican Party politician said that Türkiye’s opposition to Washington’s partnership with the Kurds will lead to a serious deadlock in its relations with the US.
“Türkiye, which is the second largest army in NATO after the USA, also draws attention with its rare earth reserves”
Representative Keith Self stated that Türkiye’s geographical location in both Europe and Asia is a great advantage. Self emphasized that Türkiye has the second largest army in NATO after the US, and stated that the country could be a strategic partner for the West.
Self also said that Türkiye is notable for its rare earth reserves of 694 million tons, but its commitment to the region has weakened in recent years and its geographic location makes the country vulnerable to some bad actors.
“Türkiye’s stance on Ukraine should be appreciated”
Speaking at the session, Bill Keating, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Europe Subcommittee, stated that Türkiye has been balancing its relations with Europe and the Middle East for years. Keating emphasized that Türkiye played a vital role in ensuring grain shipments via the Black Sea following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and that Türkiye took a principled stance by defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that this stance should be appreciated.
“The purchase of S-400s complicates relations with the US”
House of Representatives Member Bill Keating argued that Türkiye’s support for the Hamas terrorist organization, responsible for the October 7 attack, must end.
Keating also said that Türkiye’s purchase of the S-400 air defense system from Russia and the delay in approving Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership have complicated bilateral relations with the United States.
The Democratic congressman said Türkiye should use its leverage against Azerbaijan to press for a lasting and long-term peace in the Caucasus.
Wilson emphasizes Turkish-Americans’ contribution to society
Republican House Representative Joe Wilson emphasized that although there are ups and downs in relations between the US and Türkiye, mutual benefit and the contribution of their partnership to freedom and democracy are fundamental.
Wilson stated that Türkiye played an important role against communism during the Cold War and contributed to the liberation of Central Asian and Eastern European countries.
Wilson also reminded that Turkish-Americans have made significant contributions to American society through their business leadership and social integration for over 130 years.
Congressman Joe Wilson expressed his pleasure at the participation of Türkiye’s Ambassador to Washington, Sedat Önal, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, emphasizing their longstanding cooperation and partnership in the fight against terrorism.
Democratic House of Representatives member Dina Titus said that Greece stands out as a responsible ally supporting the US’s interests in the region, while Türkiye gives the impression that it is interested in Erdoğan’s “neo-Ottoman ambitions.”
During the session, Anna Borschevskaya, senior fellow for Near East Policy at the Washington Institute, Jonathan Schanzer, director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and Celeste Wallander, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, made presentations and answered questions from commission members.
“The US can develop alternative energy projects with Türkiye”
Anna Borschevskaya, senior researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that Turkish Stream and similar projects provide Russia with the opportunity to conceal its gas source and gain influence in Europe. Borschevskaya said that the US could impose sanctions on companies involved in these projects and reduce dependency on Russia by developing alternative energy projects with Turkey. She also emphasized that Türkiye’s mediation role in the Black Sea Grain Agreement was important and could be useful in similar roles in the future.
Jonathan Schanzer, director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, criticized Türkiye at a congressional hearing for supporting jihadist groups in Syria since the beginning of the civil war. He also alleged that Türkiye provided financial and political support to terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, and that such actions affected Türkiye’s complicated position in international relations.
