future-us-turkey-relations-paul-wayne

Written by Dr. Amanda Sloat,This article is part of special inauguration series by Dūcō experts on major global issues in the Trump Administration.
The Trump Administration has inherited a challenging relationship with Turkey—a country feeling under siege from internal and external threats. When President Obama took office he had high hopes for building what he described a “model partnership” with a secular democracy that could serve as a bridge to the Muslim world. Seeking to mend relations frayed by disagreements during the Bush Administration over Iraq, Obama made Turkey his first bilateral visit in April 2009 following several European stops for multi-lateral meetings. However, U.S.-Turkey relations soured amidst foreign policy differences (especially over Syria), the deterioration of democracy and rights, and the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt.