Time for Turkish-US rapprochement, says envoy

The transatlantic alliance is being tested with recent developments in the Middle East, North Africa, Black Sea basin, and Asia, and it is time for rapprochement between Turkey and U.S., according to Turkey's ambassador to Washington.

In an article posted on Oct. 17 on the Defense One website, Hasan Murat Mercan said political, social, and security fractures are triggering mass refugee flows and increased asymmetrical threats that require both nations to revisit their partnership.

"But transitioning transatlantic security priorities to an era of great power competition inevitably will necessitate exploring venues of gradual rapprochement between Turkey and the United States," said Mercan.

In the piece, the diplomat called the transatlantic community "complex and delicate."

"If left unchecked, seemingly stand-alone crises and conflicts across 'Greater Eurasia' would trigger a chain reaction politically, socially, economically, and security-wise with global repercussions," he added.

Mercan said Ankara and Washington need "optimal" partnership engagements "if we are to continue operating together in non-permissive and semi-permissive environments."

"Any recalibration of those transatlantic engagements in the region must include capable, willing, and reliable allies and partners if they are to produce timely and lasting solutions," he wrote. "Turkey remains one of those allies and partners."

Turkey's vital role, unique capacity

He cited Turkey's contribution in Afghanistan after U.S. withdrawal in late August, saying the situation there reaffirmed that transatlantic actors must continue to work together as security providers.

"The fall of Afghanistan's provincial capitals in less than 10...