Future Security Relations Between U.S. and Turkey on the Brink

Iran hasn’t been the only target of U.S. sanctions in the past week.  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered retaliatory sanctions again two unnamed U.S. officials after the U.S. ordered sanctions against two Turkish ministers last week.  That action came in response to Turkey’s refusal to release North Carolina pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been held since October 2016 on terrorism charges.

The issue has caused relations between the two countries to slide from bad to worse, with Turkey set to also feel the heat of U.S. sanctions imposed against Iran on Monday.  Turkey relies heavily on Iran for gas and oil imports.

Turkey is a key security ally for the U.S., so the growing rift could have serious implications for a future security relationship.  It’s a relationship also hampered by the re-election of President Erdogan.  Erdogan’s re-election could lead to major investor concern regarding the vitality and stability of the Turkish economy. 

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