Turkey and the United States launch a new strategic mechanism: first results and immediate prospects

Abstract

The article attempts to answer the question of whether it is possible in the near future to restore full-fledged allied relations between the United States and Turkey. Their differences on a number of issues on the international and bilateral agenda are explored, and the personal approaches of Presidents Trump and Biden to their Turkish counterpart Erdogan are shown. A critical analysis of the current state of US-Turkish relations and the impact of events in Ukraine on them is presented. The potential role of the adopted new strategic cooperation mechanism is assessed and possible prospects for its influence on overcoming tensions are considered. It is shown that Washington in current relations focuses on interaction with Turkey on the Ukrainian issue, while Ankara would like to see the Biden administration treat them equally as other NATO allies, including economic and defense cooperation. So far, it is unclear whether Washington, even with sufficient diplomatic perseverance, will be able to restore trust and strategic ties with Ankara under President Erdogan. Much depends on how the issue with the supply of American F-16 fighters to Ankara is resolved, and whether Turkey approves the applications of Finland and Sweden to join NATO.