House members have introduced legislation to designate Turkey as a Middle Eastern nation, signaling its shift from Western alliances. The bill highlights Turkey’s ties to adversaries like Russia and Iran and emphasizes concerns over its military actions against Greece and Cyprus. The move aims to reflect the reality of Turkey’s current policies and holds its government accountable for actions contrary to U.S. interests.
A bipartisan coalition of U.S. lawmakers has proposed new legislation to officially redesignate Turkey as a Middle Eastern nation rather than acknowledge it as a European country. This initiative reflects Turkey’s recent shift away from Western relationships, towards alliances with nations opposing U.S. interests. The lead sponsors of this legislation, Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), emphasized that the change signals the U.S. recognition of Turkey’s departure from prioritizing ties with Europe.
The lawmakers assert that this redesignation aligns with Turkey’s increasing collaboration with countries like Russia, China, and Iran, as well as its support for groups such as Hamas. Furthermore, Turkey’s recent militaristic actions against Greece and Cyprus contradict Western security priorities, suggesting a growing alignment with adversarial states. The statement indicates a shifting, more resolute stance toward Turkey’s government, characterized by growing authoritarianism and declining alignment with NATO allies.
Rep. Schneider commented on President Erdoğan’s policies, stating that Turkey’s foreign activities reflect an unwillingness to adhere to international laws and contribute to regional stability. He argues that while Erdoğan has effectively chosen to distance Turkey from Europe, the U.S. should no longer operate under assumptions of Turkey being a Western ally. Schneider posits that the time has come for American diplomacy to recognize the current geopolitical reality.
The bill is backed by the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance and co-sponsored by several representatives, highlighting widespread concern regarding Turkey’s actions within the U.S. alliance framework. Additionally, the proposed legislation will mandate the State Department to provide Congress with evaluations concerning Turkey’s drift from European affiliations and its implications on U.S. foreign policy.
In conclusion, the proposed legislation to redesignate Turkey marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, reflecting Turkey’s move away from Western alliances toward adversarial relationships. This step comes in light of Turkey’s actions that have raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers about stability and adherence to international norms. Officials assert that this move is necessary to reassess and redefine Turkey’s role in global politics accurately, particularly regarding its implications for NATO and regional security.
Original Source: jewishinsider.com
