The Biden administration has sharply criticized Turkey’s human rights record, demanding the release of businessman Usman Kavala, who was detained for three years during a trial in connection with anti-government protests in 2013. The controversy has been muted in response to Erdogan, who is generally ridiculed, in part because he is anxious to attract US investment and help rebuild economic growth, which the global COVID 19. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during this time.
One area where Erdogan hoped to play a central Turkish role in the NATO alliance was in Afghanistan, where Turkey, after the US withdrawal from NATO, secured Kabul Airport to secure access to the country And offered to run them. The plan could be challenged by the Taliban, who say after two decades of fighting Western-led troops, Turkey must leave with other NATO troops.
“At best, cooperation on Afghanistan can help maintain the illusion of a positive agenda,” said Nicholas Danforth, of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, saying it would help their “dysfunctional relationship” muddle on.
Still, there are areas of common ground including efforts to reach a political solution in Libya and opposition to President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. The Turkish lira firmed on Friday on hopes of progress at the talks, where Ankara will propose reviving several joint dialogue groups with Washington.
“Why shouldn’t a nice period with Biden start at the NATO summit?” said a senior official at Turkey’s presidency. “Will it be an easy meeting? Not very much, but nobody is without hope either.”
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