'There is hope' for Turkey-US relations under Trump

Despite being "tested" by problems and "misperceptions," Turkey-U.S. relations are "not irretrievable" and could be fixed under the presidency of Donald Trump, according to Stephen Hadley, a former U.S. National Security Advisor, speaking after top-level talks in Ankara on Jan. 17.

Hadley, an advisor to former U.S. President George W. Bush and currently the executive vice-chair of the Atlantic Council, said improving bilateral relations with Turkey was in the interests of the U.S. in order to "reassert and reengage" in the Middle East. 

Hadley also said he believed that if the Trump administration takes the opportunity to address Turkish concerns, Turkey would give a "real response."

There were impressive names in the Atlantic Council delegation that carried out quiet but high-level talks in Ankara on the eve of Trump assuming office on Jan. 20. Along with Hadley were outgoing President Barack Obama's former National Security Advisor James Jones and former NATO commander Frederic Hof, who has served in top diplomatic missions in the Middle East under both Bush and Obama. 

The delegation spoke to business circles in Istanbul on Jan. 17, including the Turkish Business and Industrial Association (TÜSIAD), the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) and the American-Turkish Business Council. In Ankara they met President Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Energy Minister Berat Albayrak.

I had the opportunity to speak to Hadley after the completion of all the Atlantic Council's contacts in Turkey. His remarks actually tell it all:

* "We are in a testing time for the Turkey-U.S. relationship and I think that is attributable to a number of factors. One is the July 2016...