Daily Sabah logo

Politics
Diplomacy Legislation War On Terror EU Affairs Elections News Analysis
TÜRKİYE
Istanbul Education Investigations Minorities Expat Corner Diaspora
World
Mid-East Europe Americas Asia Pacific Africa Syrian Crisis Islamophobia
Business
Automotive Economy Energy Finance Tourism Tech Defense Transportation News Analysis
Lifestyle
Health Environment Travel Food Fashion Science Religion History Feature Expat Corner
Arts
Cinema Music Events Portrait Reviews Performing Arts
Sports
Football Basketball Motorsports Tennis
Opinion
Columns Op-Ed Reader's Corner Editorial
PHOTO GALLERY
JOBS ABOUT US RSS PRIVACY CONTACT US
© Turkuvaz Haberleşme ve Yayıncılık 2023

Daily Sabah logo

عربي
  • Politics
    • Diplomacy
    • Legislation
    • War On Terror
    • EU Affairs
    • Elections
    • News Analysis
  • TÜRKİYE
    • Istanbul
    • Education
    • Investigations
    • Minorities
    • Expat Corner
    • Diaspora
  • World
    • Mid-East
    • Europe
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Africa
    • Syrian Crisis
    • Islamophobia
  • Business
    • Automotive
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Finance
    • Tourism
    • Tech
    • Defense
    • Transportation
    • News Analysis
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Science
    • Religion
    • History
    • Feature
    • Expat Corner
  • Arts
    • Cinema
    • Music
    • Events
    • Portrait
    • Reviews
    • Performing Arts
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Motorsports
    • Tennis
  • Gallery
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Op-Ed
    • Reader's Corner
    • Editorial
  • TV
  • Opinion
  • Columns
  • Op-Ed
  • Reader's Corner
  • Editorial

Turkey's expectations from US elections

by Hilal Kaplan

Nov 07, 2020 - 12:05 am GMT+3
Journalists gather outside the White House as Americans await the result of the U.S. presidential elections, in Washington, D.C., Nov. 4, 2020. (AP Photo)
Journalists gather outside the White House as Americans await the result of the U.S. presidential elections, in Washington, D.C., Nov. 4, 2020. (AP Photo)
by Hilal Kaplan Nov 07, 2020 12:05 am
RECOMMENDED
Pro-opposition circles already applied anything that political scientists have written on “populism” and “authoritarianism” to Türkiye and some dared to argue that the AK Party government was worse than the single-party era. (AP File Photo)

Turkish opposition's ideological mobilization ahead of elections

turkish-elections

If the U.S. were not so interested in Turkey's domestic affairs, I would probably stop caring about how the U.S. vote counting is going in a county in Michigan. However, this is not the case.

During a recent speech, Democratic candidate Joe Biden openly declared that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan must be overthrown through elections and that he would support the opposition in Turkey if he was elected. Democrats face possible election tampering in their own country but have no policy implemented when it comes to others.

By and large, Turkish-U.S relations have remained positive over the course of Trump's time in office although they have been strained at times, such as in the arrest of Pastor Andrew Brunson or Trump's coarse letter to Erdoğan.

Trump made it clear that Turkey was treated unfairly on the Russian-made S-400 issue and attempted to avoid biased legal treatment in the Halkbank case to ensure the countries' good relations. The issues remain unresolved and await the next U.S. president for either resolution of a continued lack of action.

Biden had his fair share of blunders when it came to Turkey during his time as vice president – with one of them being his allegation that Turkey was aiding Daesh, after which he immediately issued a formal apology.

Biden also stated that he could not tell whether the attempted coup by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) that killed 251 people was an internet game or reality during his visit to Turkey. These were not the remarks that a traumatized society, trying to heal its wounds, anticipated from its NATO ally.

The phrase “uneasy is the head that wears a crown” is applicable to Biden, who complains of Russia's influence in the region at every opportunity. It would be pragmatic and an application of realpolitik if he were to become president to get along with Turkey.

After all, Turkey is at odds with Russia on the Syrian and Libyan issues, insistently opposes the occupation of Ukraine and upholds Azerbaijan's right to defend its territories occupied by Armenia backed by Russia's unconditional support.

However, anti-Turkey sentiments within certain circles that have guided Biden's election campaign appear to be focused on stopping Erdoğan rather than containing Russia – which means confronting at least 52% of the Turkish public. Let us hope Biden does not make a wrong turn that will lead to a dead end.

About the author
Hilal Kaplan is a journalist and columnist. Kaplan is also board member of TRT, the national public broadcaster of Turkey.
RECOMMENDED
Pro-opposition circles already applied anything that political scientists have written on “populism” and “authoritarianism” to Türkiye and some dared to argue that the AK Party government was worse than the single-party era. (AP File Photo)

Turkish opposition's ideological mobilization ahead of elections

turkish-elections
  • shortlink copied
  • RELATED TOPICS
    fight-against-terrorism DEUTSCHE-BANK US-LIBYA-RELATIONS
    KEYWORDS
    turkey-us relations ankara washington donald trump joe biden
    The Daily Sabah Newsletter
    Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey, it’s region and the world.
    You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    Türkiye's TF-X National Combat Aircraft (MMU) 5th generation stealth fighter jet seen on the runway, undisclosed location, Türkiye, March 17, 2023. (Sabah Photo)

    Historic: Türkiye-made 5th gen fighter jet leaves hangar

    FIGHTER-JET
    Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2022. (Reuters Photo)

    Uncle Xi, please curb Iran (and Syria) because Vlad couldn't

    chinese-foreign-policy

    Imperial heritage: Sultanahmet, historical peninsula of Istanbul

    Travel

    Palestine condemns Israeli minister's rejection of Palestinians

    israel-palestine-conflict
    No Image
    Sunrise, stargazing and massive stone heads at Turkey's Mt. Nemrut
    PHOTOGALLERY
    • POLITICS
    • Diplomacy
    • Legislation
    • War On Terror
    • EU Affairs
    • News Analysis
    • TÜRKİYE
    • Istanbul
    • Education
    • Investigations
    • Minorities
    • Diaspora
    • World
    • Mid-East
    • Europe
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Africa
    • Syrian Crisis
    • İslamophobia
    • Business
    • Automotive
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Finance
    • Tourism
    • Tech
    • Defense
    • Transportation
    • News Analysis
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Science
    • Religion
    • History
    • Feature
    • Expat Corner
    • Arts
    • Cinema
    • Music
    • Events
    • Portrait
    • Performing Arts
    • Reviews
    • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Motorsports
    • Tennis
    • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Op-Ed
    • Reader's Corner
    • Editorial
    • Photo gallery
    • Jobs
    • privacy
    • about us
    • contact us
    • RSS
    © Turkuvaz Haberleşme ve Yayıncılık 2021