Bipartisan lawmakers are introducing the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act to reclassify Turkey as a Near Eastern country reflecting its increased ties with adversaries of the U.S. Representatives Schneider and Bilirakis argue this change is warranted due to Erdogan’s actions which contradict American interests. The legislation seeks a reassignment within 90 days, necessitating a five-year review of consequences due to Turkey’s realignment from Europe.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives is advocating for the redesignation of Turkey as a Near Eastern country in U.S. foreign policy. This legislative proposal, spearheaded by Representatives Brad Schneider and Gus Bilirakis, aligns Turkey’s classification with its intensified relationships with countries such as Russia, China, Iran, and Hamas, which conflict with Western interests.
The proposed Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act seeks to transfer Turkey’s oversight from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. “Turkey is at a crossroads, but Erdogan has made his choice,” stated Rep. Schneider, emphasizing the shift in Turkey’s alliances and the detrimental actions of its government regarding Western security.
Rep. Bilirakis echoed this sentiment, indicating that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decisions often contradict U.S. interests and contribute to regional instability. He believes it is necessary for U.S. policy to reflect the realities of Erdogan’s actions and hold him accountable for his regime’s behavior.
In response, a Turkish official defended the nation’s European identity, citing its membership in NATO and other European institutions as evidence of its enduring ties to Europe. “Türkiye’s European identity is an undeniable historical and geostrategic fact,” the official expressed, countering the lawmakers’ reclassification effort.
Jonathan Schanzer from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies warned that Turkey’s current trajectory poses significant challenges for U.S. foreign policy. He remarked that Turkey’s actions, including its support for terrorist organizations, often undermine American interests and capability within NATO. Schanzer underscored that Turkey has leveraged its NATO membership to gain advantages while behaving adversarially.
The legislation mandates that the State Department reassign Turkey’s diplomatic designation within 90 days and outlines a five-year congressional review of the ramifications of this alignment shift. Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, praised the lawmakers for implementing a realistic approach towards Turkey in U.S. diplomacy, highlighting the complexities within the State Department related to managing Turkey’s influence.
The bipartisan Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act aims to accurately reflect Turkey’s current geopolitical stance by reclassifying it as a Near Eastern country rather than a European one. This action is driven by concerns over Turkey’s increasingly adversarial behavior, particularly under President Erdogan, which has raised alarms regarding U.S. interests. The proposed shift in designation signifies a pivotal moment in U.S.-Turkey relations as lawmakers seek to address the evolving nature of Turkey’s foreign alliances and the implications for Western security.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
