Bipartisan House lawmakers are introducing the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act to change Turkey’s designation from European to Near Eastern. The bill addresses Turkey’s increasing ties with adversarial nations like Russia and Hamas, reflecting a shift away from U.S. and NATO interests. The legislation mandates a reassessment of Turkey’s diplomatic status within 90 days, emphasizing the need for accountability in U.S.-Turkey relations.
A bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers is introducing legislation to change Turkey’s designation at the State Department from a European to a Near Eastern country. This initiative, led by Representatives Brad Schneider (D-Illinois) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida), aims to reflect Turkey’s increasing alignment with nations such as Russia, China, Iran, and Hamas, which diverge from Western security interests.
The proposed Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act argues that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime has distanced itself from NATO allies while still seeking the advantages of a Western partnership. Rep. Schneider emphasized that Erdogan’s actions—including harboring Hamas operatives and supporting Russia—necessitate a reevaluation of Turkey’s role in U.S. diplomacy.
Alongside Schneider, Bilirakis noted Turkey’s inconsistent actions undermining American interests, advocating for U.S. foreign policy to accurately portray Turkey’s hostile conduct. This legislative effort comes in the wake of Turkey’s confrontational foreign policy and relationships that threaten regional stability.
Contrarily, the Turkish government contested lawmakers’ portrayal, asserting its strong European identity through NATO and other partnerships. A Turkish embassy official reiterated that Turkey is integral to Europe, maintaining historical ties and shared values.
Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, voiced concerns over Turkey’s actions in a congressional hearing, addressing its support for extremist groups and detrimental behavior within NATO, particularly with respect to U.S. interests. Schanzer highlighted Turkey’s leverage regarding the sale of F-16 fighter jets in negotiations over Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership.
Erdogan’s alignment with Russia has intensified, exemplified by Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, contrasting sharply with NATO’s sanctions against Russia. The new legislation mandates the State Department reassess Turkey’s status within 90 days, including a five-year evaluation of Turkey’s foreign policy shift.
Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, commended the legislative initiative, highlighting the need for a realistic approach to Turkey’s role and influence within the U.S. foreign policy framework. Zemenides argued that Turkey has received undue influence within various State Department sectors, stressing its ambiguous status as “neither friend nor foe.”
The bipartisan legislation spearheaded by Representatives Schneider and Bilirakis seeks to reclassify Turkey at the State Department to better reflect its shifting diplomatic posture. With rising tensions amid Turkey’s ties to Russia and other non-Western allies, these lawmakers argue for a reassessment of U.S. foreign policy towards Turkey. The proposal calls for immediate action from the State Department, reflecting broader concerns about Turkey’s recent actions and its impact on regional stability.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
