Unprecedented Closeness between Turkey and the US: A Global Perspective

For many years, the phrase “The road to Washington goes through Jerusalem” has been commonly used by people around the world. Turkey was the first Muslim country to recognize Israel in 1949, aiming to strengthen ties with Washington and eventually join the NATO alliance in 1952. The move was driven by a fear of Soviet expansion after World War II rather than support for Zionism.

Fast forward to today, in the midst of strained relationships between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden, traditional alliances are shifting. Reports suggest that Erdogan may visit the White House on May 9th, marking his first visit to Washington since Biden took office. This unexpected closeness between the two leaders is driven by global conflicts such as Ukraine and increasing demand for artillery shells like the 155mm diameter shells used by NATO countries like Israel.

As demand for these shells has skyrocketed due to supply shortages, countries like Turkey are capitalizing on opportunities to solidify their positions in the international arena. Erdogan’s strategic maneuvers such as selling drones to Ukraine while receiving S-400 batteries from Russia demonstrate his complex diplomatic approach. By aligning with the US on artillery production, Erdogan is positioning Turkey as a key player on the world stage.

This interconnectedness of global politics highlights how leaders like Erdogan navigate complex relationships to advance their interests. As tensions continue to rise and conflicts escalate, countries will continue to seek out new alliances and partnerships in order to remain competitive on a global scale.