Bipartisan legislation seeks to reign in Erdogan’s Turkey over ties to US foes

A New Era in U.S.-Turkey Relations: Bipartisan Legislation Seeks to Redesignate Turkey’s Diplomatic Status

A group of bipartisan lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced groundbreaking legislation aimed at redesignating Turkey as a Near Eastern country rather than a European one within the U.S. State Department. The proposed bill, known as the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act, reflects growing concerns over Turkey’s shifting alliances and its increasingly adversarial stance toward NATO and Western interests. Led by Representatives Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), the legislation seeks to formally move Turkey’s designation from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. This change is intended to acknowledge Turkey’s deepening ties with Russia, China, Iran, and Hamas, which are seen as fundamentally at odds with Western security priorities.

Turkey’s Drifting Alliances and the Rationale for Redesignation

The lawmakers argue that Turkey, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has made a deliberate choice to distance itself from its traditional Western allies. Schneider emphasized that Turkey is no longer acting like a Western ally, pointing to its support for Hamas, its role in propping up Russia’s war efforts, and its efforts to undermine NATO unity. "Turkey is at a crossroads, but Erdogan has made his choice," Schneider said. "His government harbors Hamas operatives, supports Putin’s war machine, and obstructs NATO unity—while still demanding the privileges of a Western ally. It’s time for American diplomacy to stop pretending that Turkey is still part of Europe."

Bilirakis echoed these sentiments, stating that Erdogan’s government has repeatedly acted against American interests, engaged in dangerous behavior, and contributed to regional instability. "The time has come for official U.S. foreign policy to more accurately reflect the realities of this hostile regime’s conduct and for Erdogan to be held accountable," he said. The proposed legislation is a direct response to these concerns, aiming to align U.S. diplomatic structures with the current geopolitical realities.

The Turkish Government Pushes Back Against the Redesignation

Despite the strong language from U.S. lawmakers, the Turkish government has pushed back against the characterization of its foreign policy and European orientation. A Turkish embassy official in Washington argued that Turkey’s European identity is a historical and geostrategic fact. "Türkiye’s European identity is an undeniable historical and geostrategic fact," the official said. "As a strong member of NATO, the Council of Europe, OSCE, and an associate EU member, Türkiye is part and parcel of the European institutional framework and universal values that these institutions represent." The official dismissed the notion that Turkey is no longer a part of Europe, emphasizing its continued role in European institutions and the importance of its strategic location.

Expert Testimony Highlights Turkey’s Adversarial Behavior

The concerns about Turkey’s trajectory are not limited to lawmakers. During a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, warned that Turkey’s behavior is increasingly adversarial. "The government of Turkey has become a headache for U.S. policymakers. If Ankara maintains its current trajectory, that headache will soon become a migraine," Schanzer said. He pointed to Turkey’s support for terrorist groups and rogue states, including Hamas, as well as its use of NATO as a platform to undermine American interests. Schanzer also noted that Turkey has leveraged its position within NATO to extract concessions, such as its demand for F-16 fighter jets in exchange for its approval of Sweden and Finland joining the alliance.

Schanzer’s testimony was part of a broader discussion about Turkey’s growing ties with Russia, particularly during the war in Ukraine. Despite international sanctions on Russia, Turkey has maintained close trade and energy ties with Moscow, further straining its relationship with NATO allies. Erdogan’s decision to purchase the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system has been a point of contention, as it undermines NATO’s cohesion and raises questions about Turkey’s commitment to Western security interests.

The Proposed Legislation and Its Implications

The Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act is more than symbolic; it has concrete implications for U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic engagement with Turkey. If passed, the legislation would require the State Department to reassign Turkey’s diplomatic status within 90 days and submit a five-year congressional review on the consequences of Turkey’s realignment away from Europe. This would effectively shift Turkey’s diplomatic focus from Europe to the Middle East, reflecting its growing ties with regional powers like Iran and Russia.

Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, applauded the bipartisan effort, stating that the legislation requires the State Department to deal with Ankara realistically. "An honest evaluation of the U.S. foreign policy bureaucracy reveals that we have unwittingly granted Turkey a ‘lobby’ within multiple State Department bureaus, the size of which is wholly undeserved by a country that has, at best, become ‘neither friend nor foe,’" Zemenides said. He described the current situation as akin to Turkey treating the U.S.-Turkey relationship like a "protection racket," where Ankara demands concessions while offering little in return.

The Road Ahead: A Potential Turning Point in U.S.-Turkey Relations

The introduction of the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act marks a potential turning point in U.S.-Turkey relations. By seeking to redesignate Turkey’s diplomatic status, lawmakers are signaling a shift in how the U.S. views Turkey’s role in the global landscape. The legislation reflects a growing consensus that Turkey’s actions under Erdogan are no longer aligned with Western values and interests. While the bill still needs to navigate the legislative process, it represents a significant step toward redefining the U.S.-Turkey relationship.

The proposed redesignation is not just about bureaucratic restructuring; it is a statement of intent. It signals that the U.S. is prepared to acknowledge the reality of Turkey’s geopolitical choices and to adjust its diplomatic strategy accordingly. As the legislation moves forward, it will likely face opposition from Turkey and its allies, but it also represents an opportunity for the U.S. to reassess its approach to a region increasingly shaped by shifting alliances and rising tensions. The outcome of this effort will have far-reaching implications, not only for U.S.-Turkey relations but also for the broader balance of power in Europe and the Middle East.