Biden administration critical of Turkey

US Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken gave a first inkling about the stance the Biden administration will take regarding Turkey in the hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His approach was clearly critical; however, the relationship is complex and any conclusions would be premature.

In his first official statement, Blinken said it was "unacceptable" for a "so-called strategic partner of ours" to buy the S-400 and "be in line with one of our biggest strategic competitors, in Russia." The Biden administration will follow a carrot-and-stick policy, criticizing Turkey but also trying to keep it aligned with the West. Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said yesterday that Biden "as Obama's vice president visited Turkey four times and knows the region. Our contacts with the transition team are very positive, so far." He...