Bipartisan Initiative to Realign Turkey’s Diplomatic Status with U.S. Interests

Bipartisan House legislators are introducing the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act to redesignate Turkey as a Near Eastern country. The Act aims to reflect Turkey’s deepening ties with adversaries such as Russia and Hamas. Lawmakers emphasize that current U.S. policy fails to address the realities of Turkey’s hostile actions; thus, a reassessment of its diplomatic status is essential.

A bipartisan coalition of House lawmakers is advancing the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act, aiming to officially designate Turkey as a Near Eastern country with the U.S. State Department rather than classifying it as a European nation. This legislative initiative, led by Representatives Brad Schneider and Gus Bilirakis, reflects Turkey’s increasingly close affiliations with adversaries of the United States, such as Russia, China, Iran, and Hamas, which contradict Western security interests.

Representative Schneider highlighted the gravity of the current situation, asserting, “Turkey is at a crossroads, but Erdogan has made his choice.” He noted the detrimental actions of Turkey’s government, which include harboring Hamas operatives and obstructing NATO unity while still seeking the benefits associated with being a Western ally.

Representative Bilirakis echoed these sentiments, condemning President Erdogan’s behavior as contrary to U.S. interests and a destabilizing force in the region. He stated, “The time has come for official U.S. foreign policy to more accurately reflect the realities of this hostile regime’s conduct.”

The Turkish government has criticized this characterization of its foreign policy. A Turkish embassy official maintained that “Türkiye’s European identity is an undeniable historical and geostrategic fact,” emphasizing its roles in NATO and other European institutions.

Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, described Turkey as increasingly adversarial, supporting terrorist groups and rogue states while leveraging its NATO status to undermine American interests. Schanzer pointed to Turkey’s demands for F-16 fighter jets as a means to blackmail the U.S. regarding NATO expansion.

Turkey’s deepening relationship with Russia, particularly through the acquisition of the S-400 missile defense system, and its continued trade relations during sanctions against Russia, underline its divergence from NATO allies. The proposed legislation mandates that the State Department reassess Turkey’s diplomatic status within 90 days and provide a comprehensive congressional review of this realignment within five years.

Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, commended the lawmakers for their pragmatic approach towards Turkey’s diplomatic engagement. He stated that an “honest evaluation of the U.S. foreign policy bureaucracy reveals that we have unwittingly granted Turkey a ‘lobby’… wholly undeserved by a country that has, at best, become ‘neither friend nor foe.'”

In summary, bipartisan lawmakers are advocating for a reevaluation of Turkey’s diplomatic status in light of its shifting alliances away from the West. The Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act seeks to formally recognize this change within the State Department, reflecting Turkey’s growing ties with non-Western adversaries. The dialogue underscores the prevailing concerns regarding Turkey’s foreign policy and its implications for U.S. interests and regional stability.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com