The United States and Turkey were close allies during the Cold War, working together to confront the Soviet threat and establish close military and political cooperation. However, with the end of the Cold War, contradictions between the two countries gradually emerged, from the Kurdish issue to the Armenian issue, from the Syrian issue to the S-400 missile system issue, US-Turkish relations continued to deteriorate, and even fell into a state of confrontation.
Recently, the United States has imposed a series of sanctions on Turkey, showing its dissatisfaction and anger at Turkey, and also making relations between the two countries more tense and crisis. Why is the United States so cruel to Turkey?And how will Turkey respond to US sanctions?What is the future of US-Turkish relations?
The main aspects of the U.S. sanctions against Turkey are as follows:
Due to Turkey's purchase of Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, the United States believes that this threatens the military-technical security of the United States, in particular, classified information on the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35).
As a result, the United States imposed the Countering America's Adversaries with Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Turkey, froze the assets of the Turkish Defense Industry Agency (SSB) and its head and three ** in the United States, banned the export of ** and technology to SSB, disqualified Turkey from participating in the F-35 program, and refused to deliver to Turkey the F-35 fighters already ordered.
As Turkey launches a military operation against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, the United States believes that it will undermine stability and peace in Syria, damage America's allies in the fight against the Islamic State (IS), and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
As a result, the United States imposed the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (GMA) on Turkey, sanctioning Turkey's Minister of Defense, Interior Affairs, and Energy, as well as individuals and entities associated with Turkey's military operations.
The U.S. sanctions against Turkey are undoubtedly a heavy blow to Turkey, which not only affects Turkey's economic and military strength, but also damages Turkey's international reputation and status. The U.S. sanctions also reflect the U.S. distrust and dissatisfaction with Turkey, as well as the preservation of U.S. interests and strategies in the region and the world.
In the face of US sanctions, Turkey did not give in and compromise, but adopted a tough and counter-aggressive attitude. Turkey's reaction and position towards the United States are mainly in the following aspects:
Turkey insists that the purchase of the S-400 missile system is Turkey's sovereign and security right, does not pose a threat to the security of the United States or NATO, and does not affect the performance of the F-35. Turkey refuses to abandon the S-400 missile system, demanding that the United States restore Turkey's participation in the F-35 program, otherwise it will resort to legal and diplomatic means, and even seek fighter jets from other countries**.
Turkey insists that the military operation against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria is Turkey's self-defense and anti-terrorist operation aimed at clearing the Turkish border and protecting Turkey's territorial integrity while respecting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Turkey has refused to stop military operations and demanded that the United States stop supporting Kurdish forces, otherwise it will be seen as an act of hostility against Turkey.
Turkey insists that drilling for natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea is Turkey's legitimate and reasonable right, in accordance with the provisions of international law and the law of the sea, and aims to develop and utilize Turkey's natural resources, protect Turkey's economic interests and energy security, and at the same time be willing to engage in dialogue and cooperation with other countries. Turkey has refused to stop drilling activities and demanded that the United States respect Turkey's rights and interests, or face Turkish countermeasures.
Turkey's reaction and stance toward the United States is undoubtedly a challenge and resistance to the United States, which not only demonstrates Turkey's self-confidence and resilience, but also reflects Turkey's strategy and pursuit of interests. Turkey's reaction and stance also reflect Turkey's distrust and dissatisfaction with the United States, as well as Turkey's changing role and positioning in the region and globally.
Between the United States and Turkey, there is a series of differences and conflicts that have led to tensions and crises in relations between the two countries. However, there are also some common interests and goals between the two countries, which have contributed to the maintenance and development of relations between the two countries. The future direction of U.S.-Turkish relations will depend on the following factors:
U.S. policies and attitudes. The United States is the most powerful country in the world and has an important impact on the direction of US-Turkish relations. Whether the United States will continue to exert pressure and sanctions on Turkey, or whether it will seek dialogue and cooperation with Turkey, depends on the strategic and interest considerations of the United States, as well as the United States.
The political and social environment in the country. The policies and attitudes of the United States have also been influenced by the domestic political and social environment. The United States, Congress, political parties, public opinion, interest groups, etc., all have different views and demands on the United States' policies and attitudes toward Turkey, which will also have certain constraints and influences on the decisions and actions of the United States. Whether the United States can develop a stable and consistent policy and attitude toward Turkey depends on the changes and development of the domestic political and social environment of the United States.
Turkey's policy and attitude. Turkey is an important country in the region and the world, and it also has an important influence on the direction of U.S.-Turkish relations. Whether Turkey will continue to challenge and resist the United States, or whether it will seek compromise and cooperation with the United States, will depend on Turkey's strategic and interest considerations, as well as Turkey's domestic political and social environment.
Turkey's military, political parties, public opinion, interest groups, etc., all have different views and demands on Turkey's policies and attitudes toward the United States, and will also have certain constraints and influences on Turkey's decision-making and actions. Whether Turkey is able to develop a stable and consistent policy and attitude towards the United States depends on the changes and development of Turkey's domestic political and social environment.
Influence and role of third parties. The relationship between the United States and Turkey has also been influenced and played by a third party. These third parties include NATO, the European Union, Russia, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Greece, Cyprus and other countries and organizations, all of which have varying degrees of ties and interests with the United States or Turkey, and all have different expectations and goals for the direction of US-Turkish relations. These third parties may play a role in promoting or hindering US-Turkish relations under certain circumstances, and may also become a factor in the coordination or contradiction of US-Turkish relations under certain circumstances.
To sum up, the relationship between the United States and Turkey is a complex and volatile issue, involving many factors and interests, as well as a variety of possibilities and uncertainties. The future direction of U.S.-Turkey relations will depend on the policies and attitudes of the United States and Turkey, as well as the domestic and international environment and impacts. The future direction of US-Turkey relations will also have an important impact and significance on regional and global peace and security, development and cooperation.
Once close allies, the United States and Turkey have become adversaries and even enemies. The United States has imposed a series of sanctions on Turkey, showing its dissatisfaction and anger at Turkey, and also making relations between the two countries more tense and crisis-oriented. Turkey's tough and counter-aggressive attitude towards the United States shows that it challenges and resists the United States, and also reflects Turkey's self-confidence and resilience.