Turkey cozies up to the US amid coronavirus pandemic

In the past few years, it has become increasingly difficult to see how the relationship between Turkey and the US might ever return to the halcyon days of yore. However, the global coronavirus crisis seems to have provided an opportunity for both sides to ease the tensions.
On Tuesday, Ankara sent a planeload of personal protective equipment to the US to support its NATO ally in the fight against the pandemic. Turkey has sent coronavirus supplies to many other countries; however, the helping hand extended to Washington has special significance. In particular, the decision to provide the medical equipment as aid rather than selling it comes at a critical time in Turkish-American relations.
Details of the nature of the assistance were made public on Wednesday when it emerged that it was accompanied by a letter from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to American counterpart Donald Trump that expressed hope the aid would help the American people recover from the coronavirus.
“You can be sure, as a reliable and strong partner of the US, we will continue to demonstrate solidarity in every way possible in meeting the present needs required for the struggle against this pandemic as well as during the upcoming recovery phase,” Erdogan wrote. He also reiterated that he attaches great importance to the cooperation between the countries in the fight against the virus.
But most importantly, the letter contained some nuanced references to the future course of Turkish-US relations. Firstly, it indicated Turkey’s expectation that the “positive atmosphere” created by the cooperation against the pandemic will help both countries to “advance” their relationship.
Secondly, it emphasized the regional matters that most concern Ankara. Erdogan wrote: “Recent developments in our region, particularly in Syria and Libya, have once again demonstrated the importance of upholding the Turkish-US alliance and cooperation at full strength. I hope that in the upcoming period, with the spirit of solidarity we have displayed during the pandemic, Congress and the US media will better understand the strategic importance of our relations and act in a way that our common fight against our common problems necessitates.”
This statement is a clear indication that Turkey wants to use this opportunity to try to improve ties with the US, so as to better cope with the issues concerning both countries politically and economically.
Thirty years after the Cold War ended, Washington and Ankara often find themselves on opposite sides of a variety of significant issues, which plagues their special relationship. These issues include US support for the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG)/Democratic Union Party (PYD), Turkey’s purchase of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, the US conviction of a Turkish bank executive for breaking sanctions against Iran, and several other regional matters.
The disagreement between the US and Turkey in Syria is simply a result of US support for Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) offshoots fighting against Daesh, despite Turkey’s strong objections. Ankara believes the US administration ignored its concerns because it viewed terrorists as an efficient force in the fight against Daesh. After its protests fell on deaf ears, Ankara launched three military operations in northern Syria to eliminate elements it considers a threat to the security and stability of Turkey.
This issue set Ankara and Washington on a collision course. In fact, it prompted one of the most astonishing spats in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries: Trump’s letter urging Erdogan not to carry out an operation against the Kurds in Syria, in which he wrote: “Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a fool.”
It ignited a diplomatic scandal, with Turkish sources confirming that Erdogan threw the letter in the trash and ordered the operation to begin. In addition, Trump’s vow in the letter to target the Turkish economy if Ankara did not fall in line with the US was a further, clear indication of the strained relations.
An attack this week in northwestern Syria seems to prove that the YPG/PYD issue continues to cause friction between the allies. Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense said at least 40 civilians, including 11 children, were killed on Tuesday in a YPG/PKK terrorist attack in Afrin, a city that was liberated during Turkey’s Operation Olive Branch.
In a nutshell, Turkey’s deep disappointment with its Western allies following the July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, as well as the drift in Turkish-American relations over Syria, were important drivers of Ankara’s efforts to upgrade its relationships with Russia and Iran through the Astana peace process.

The spirit of cooperation in a time of crisis, and the positive remarks by Turkish and American officials, are likely to stick in political memories in the two countries.

Sinem Cengiz

Turkey’s rapprochement with Russia peaked with the decision to purchase, deploy and activate a Russian-made advanced air defense system, the S-400, which raised eyebrows in Washington. Traditionally, Ankara’s closest partners in defense cooperation are the US and NATO. However, despite sanctions and warnings that the S-400 is incompatible with NATO systems, Ankara insists it will not give up on its new system and “it is a done deal.”
Under normal circumstances, the most important current issue affecting US-Turkish relations would be the S-400 systems, because Erdogan last year stated that they would be ready for activation in April. Amid the Turkish-American rapprochement, however, Turkish officials announced that the activation of the air-defense system had been postponed due to pandemic. Also, the emphasis in Erdogan’s letter on cooperation in Syria and Libya came at a time when Turkish interests in the two war-torn countries are not getting any closer to those of the Russians.
We cannot expect the medical aid shipment to fix the structural problems in the complicated Turkey-US relationship any time soon. However, the spirit of cooperation in a time of crisis, and the positive remarks by Turkish and American officials, are likely to stick in political memories in the two countries.
Indeed, it is a moment of optimism of a kind that has been rare in recent years.

• Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkey’s relations with the Middle East. Twitter: @SinemCngz