US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Engages in Challenging Discussions with Turkey Amidst Escalating Violence in Gaza
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a crucial visit to Turkey, aiming to address the mounting frustration of one of America’s key, yet complex allies, regarding the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza. With both Israel and the Western world facing intensified criticism within Turkey, protests surged on the streets and within the palace of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The atmosphere was tense as Turkish police resorted to using tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators marching on an air base housing US forces mere hours before Blinken’s arrival on Sunday.
As a response, President Erdogan, in an apparent snub to Washington’s top diplomat, planned to travel across Turkey’s remote northeast on Monday. Blinken’s discussion with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan promised to be challenging, even before Israel initiated a relentless bombing campaign and expanded their ground offensive in Gaza.
During the four weeks of conflict, Israeli forces have tragically claimed the lives of almost 9,800 individuals, while Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7th resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people. Consequently, this devastating war threatens to have far-reaching consequences on the relationship between the United States and Turkey. As a NATO member, Turkey possesses a robust foreign policy and vested interests in various conflicts across the Middle East.
The US is keen to see Turkey’s parliament ratify Sweden’s stalled effort to join the US-led NATO defense organization. Furthermore, the United States has progressively tightened sanctions against Turkish individuals and companies suspected of aiding Russia in evading sanctions and importing goods for use in the Ukrainian conflict. Turkey, on the other hand, is disappointed by the US Congress’s delay in approving a deal, supported by President Joe Biden, aimed at modernizing Turkey’s air force with dozens of US F-16 fighter jets.
Another longstanding concern for Turkey is the US support for Kurdish forces in Syria, whom Ankara considers to be an offshoot of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants. To retaliate against a PKK-claimed attack in October that resulted in the death of two assailants, Ankara has stepped up its air strikes against armed Kurdish groups in Syria and Iraq.
Blinken’s visit follows a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, which included an unannounced stop in the occupied West Bank for discussions with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday. The US diplomat has been under increased pressure from Arab countries to support an immediate ceasefire.
While Israel has indicated its willingness to accept a humanitarian pause to facilitate the delivery of aid once Hamas releases its hostages, Blinken has aligned himself with Israel’s position, while simultaneously assuring regional players that the US remains focused on alleviating the humanitarian crisis.
Emphasizing Turkey’s duty to support an independent Palestinian state and to halt the violence, President Erdogan stated that Ankara is working behind the scenes alongside regional allies to ensure a continuous flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. In protest, Erdogan has severed communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and recalled Ankara’s ambassador to Israel.
Erdogan has also accused the Western countries of hypocrisy and a loss of moral authority, remarking that those shedding tears for the civilians killed in the Ukraine-Russia conflict are turning a blind eye to the thousands of innocent children losing their lives.
As tensions rise and various interests collide, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken faces a monumental task in attempting to navigate these complex issues during his discussions with Turkey. The outcome of these talks will undoubtedly have significant implications for the geopolitical landscape and the relationship between the United States and Turkey.
