Understanding CRS R44000: How Congress Sees Türkiye–U.S. Relations
R44000 is the U.S. Congress’s go-to background report on Türkiye and U.S.–Türkiye relations. It’s written by the Congressional Research Service (CRS)—the nonpartisan research arm of the U.S. legislature—and it’s updated regularly so senators and representatives have the latest facts before they make decisions. Think of it as an official “country brief” used by Washington to understand Türkiye’s politics, economy, foreign policy, security issues, and how all of this affects the United States. Congress.go
Who writes it and how often is it updated?
The report is authored by CRS specialists Jim Zanotti and Clayton Thomas. CRS updates it many times over the years; each new edition keeps the same report number—R44000—and adds new information as events change. The most recent version on Congress.gov is dated September 15, 2025, and you can download the full PDF there. Older versions (for example from 2023 and 2024) are also kept online so readers can see how things evolved
What’s inside—explained simply
The report pulls together, in one place, the key topics Washington watches about Türkiye. It usually starts with what is happening inside the country (politics, elections, economy, inflation), then moves to regional and global issues where Türkiye is active (NATO, the war in Ukraine, Syria and Iraq, relations with Russia, the South Caucasus, the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece/Cyprus, and ties with the EU). It also covers U.S.–Türkiye defense and security (for example, the S-400 dispute, the possible F-16 sale, and how Congress reviews or blocks arms transfers), human rights and rule of law questions, trade and energy, and why each issue matters for U.S. policy. Each section gives background, the current situation, and what Congress might consider next.
Why Turkish Americans should care
Because R44000 is what many U.S. decision-makers read before hearings, briefings, and votes. When Congress discusses sanctions, defense cooperation, or trade with Türkiye, staffers often have this report in front of them. If you follow the relationship—or advocate on any topic—it helps to know how CRS frames the facts, what numbers and maps it uses, and which open questions it flags for lawmakers. In other words, R44000 shapes the baseline understanding in Washington, even though it doesn’t take political sides.
How to read it without getting lost
The PDF is long, but you can skim by headings. Start with the summary at the front, then check the sections that match your interest (for example, F-16s, Syria, economy). CRS writes in plain, careful language and cites public sources. If you see a reference to another CRS report (for example, a deeper dive on the F-16 case), that link usually goes to a separate document with more detail. Because the report is updated, look at the publication date at the top of the Congress.gov page to make sure you have the newest version
Key facts about the current edition
The 2025 revision is titled “Turkey (Türkiye): Major Issues and U.S. Relations.” It includes a “Turkey at a Glance” page (population, major cities, map) and reviews recent political and economic trends, security files, and congressional actions—including how the Senate handled a move in February 2024 related to the possible F-16 sale. This gives readers a clear view of what changed recently and what is still under debate.
Is it reliable and can you share it?
Yes. CRS is known for nonpartisan, fact-checked analysis for Congress. And Congress now makes these reports public. You can download, read, and share the full report for free from Congress.gov. (If a report contains third-party images, you may need permission to reuse those specific images, but the text of the report itself can be shared.)
Bottom line
R44000 is the authoritative, regularly updated U.S. congressional briefing on Türkiye. If you want to understand how Washington views current issues—defense deals, regional crises, human rights, energy, and trade—start here, then follow the linked sources inside the report for deeper detail