We Don't Have Time for Turkish Games

🇹🇷 I was optimistic that Turkey was going to change course. When Erdogan appointed a new finance minister and central bank manager it appeared that he had been listening to the criticism on his economic policies and that he was ready to be a like-minded ally, but other actions are proving that that is not the case.

Erdogan is really just trying to get additional concessions. Erdogan continues to postpone Sweden's NATO membership, now Turkey is insisting on a two-state solution for Cyprus that no one wants, not even Turkish Cypriots, and I don't see any positive developments in their relationship with Greece, although Greece is trying to improve Greece-Turkey relations. Therefore the USA should not approve the sale of F-16s to Turkey. We also want the US nuclear arsenal removed from Turkish territory.

Erdogan claims no one has the right to criticize him or Turkey if they want to be a NATO member, but Turkey does not hesitate to use antagonistic rhetoric towards Greece, another NATO member. The obvious double standard is unacceptable and extremely annoying. We expect all NATO members to share our values and respect individual human rights, including free speech. We also expect all NATO member governments and heads of state to refrain from provocative rhetoric against other NATO members. Turkey is the only NATO ally that is violating these unspoken rules.

The USA wants Turkey to be secure, happy and prosperous. We want this for all of our allies. We want this for the whole world. We also recognize that Turkey has a huge interest in the welfare of Africa, and so does the USA. Erdogan has provided thousands of Africans with scholarships and has trained hundreds of Africans in international relations to become diplomats, which is commendable. We would like to partner with Turkey on African issues, but we need Turkey to be cooperative on European issues as well, especially since they are a member of our North Atlantic security community.

xo