Bipartisan lawmakers introduce a bill to designate Turkey as a Near Eastern country, reflecting its shift away from Western alliances. The Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act aims to change its classification at the State Department due to its ties with Russia, China, and Hamas. Prominent lawmakers express concerns over Erdogan’s actions undermining NATO and U.S. interests, while Turkish officials defend its European status. The legislation requires a reassignment of diplomatic status within 90 days and a five-year review of the implications of the shift.
A coalition of bipartisan lawmakers is proposing legislation to officially redesignate Turkey as a Near Eastern country within the U.S. State Department. This initiative is led by Representatives Brad Schneider and Gus Bilirakis, reflecting Turkey’s growing alliances with nations like Russia and Iran, which conflict with Western security interests. The proposed legislation seeks to transfer Turkey’s classification from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
Rep. Schneider expressed that “Turkey is at a crossroads, but Erdogan has made his choice,” highlighting Turkey’s associations with hostile regimes and Hamas operatives. Schneider criticized Erdogan’s actions that undermine NATO unity while still expecting Western ally privileges. Bilirakis echoed this sentiment, stating that Turkey’s behavior threatens American interests and contributes to regional instability.
A representative from the Turkish embassy countered the narrative, asserting Turkey’s strong ties to Europe through its NATO membership and other institutional affiliations. Meanwhile, Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, indicated Turkey’s behavior tends to align with that of an adversary, citing its support for terrorism and usage of NATO to its advantage at the cost of U.S. interests.
Erdogan’s increasing cooperation with Russia is evident through Turkey’s procurement of the S-400 missile system. Despite sanctions imposed by NATO allies on Russia, Turkey has retained robust economic and energy connections with the nation. The proposed bill mandates the State Department to reassign Turkey’s status within 90 days and conduct a five-year review regarding the implications of this diplomatic shift.
Endy Zemenides from the Hellenic American Leadership Council praised the bipartisan effort, stating that the current diplomatic framework has unjustly elevated Turkey’s standing within the State Department, despite its unreliable stance. He remarked that “an honest evaluation of the U.S. foreign policy bureaucracy reveals… a country that has, at best, become ‘neither friend nor foe.'”
The proposed legislation seeks to redefine Turkey’s diplomatic classification in light of its shifting allegiances and conduct under President Erdogan. Bipartisan lawmakers highlight Turkey’s troubling ties with adversarial nations and criticize its role within NATO. While Turkish officials defend its European orientation, U.S. policymakers argue for a more accurate reflection of Turkey’s current foreign policy. This legislative proposal represents a critical examination of U.S.-Turkey relations moving forward.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
