The failed coup attempt in Turkey, a long-time NATO ally, shocked many observers of Turkish politics. While the motives and identities of the coup plotters remain unclear, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is already cracking down on a broad swath of Turkish institutions. In light of these domestic convulsions, will Turkey be a reliable ally against the Islamic State and remain committed to its pact with Europe to stem the flow of Syrian migrants? How should the United States “square the circle” of an increasingly undemocratic Islamist regime running a NATO country? Negotiating this challenge is doubly important in a region full of grave threats to U.S. national security, from international terrorism to anti-American regional powers such as Iran.
In the aftermath of the coup, commentators have predicted further erosion of the capabilities and professionalism of an already battered Turkish military. And yet Turkey remains crucial to achieving American foreign policy objectives—especially in light of the rise of Iran and Russia's reentry into the region. What are U.S. options for strengthening the U.S.-Turkey relationship, long a linchpin of the regional order?
On July 27, Hudson Institute hosted a discussion with Senior Fellows Craig Kennedy, Eric Brown, and Hillel Fradkin. Hudson Fellow Peter Rough moderated the conversation.
Join Hudson Institute for a discussion of how the US can build a more resilient and flexible energetics base—one that can meet sustained demand while accelerating the development and fielding of new capabilities.
Join Hudson Institute for a conference with leaders from industry, government, academia, and defense to discuss the latest developments in the US-China AI competition.
Join House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (AL-03) for a fireside discussion with Senior Fellow Nadia Schadlow on Congress’s role in revitalizing America’s defense industrial base.
Hudson welcomes Karel Řehka, former chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, to discuss the changing security environment in Europe and its implications for the Czech Republic, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the transatlantic alliance.
