Current Challenges in US-Turkey Relations

Find a summary of the event here.

President Trump’s win in the November 2016 election was met with cautious optimism in Turkey, however, as the first year of his administration draws to a close, the bilateral relationship still faces a number of challenges. Most pressing among them are differences over the Syrian conflict and the US support for the PYD in northern Syria. The National Security Strategy issued in December 2017 promises a “dramatic rethinking” of US foreign policy as National Security Advisor HR McMaster put it, but it is unclear what prospects it holds for US-Turkey relations.

Moving forward into 2018, how will the divergent approaches between the US and Turkey in Syria affect the broader bilateral relationship? Will the two countries be able to reach an understanding over various strategic and political challenges? What are the prospects of reaching a common understanding over the pressing challenges that Syria presents for both nations?

Please join the SETA Foundation at Washington DC for a discussion on the challenges facing the bilateral relationship between the US and Turkey.

Speakers:

            Luke Coffey, Director, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy, The Heritage Center

            James Jeffrey, Philip Solondz Distinguished Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

            Kilic B. Kanat, Research Director, The SETA Foundation at Washington DC

Moderator:

            Kadir Ustun, Executive Director, The SETA Foundation at Washington DC