Are U.S. Sanctions on Türkiye Really Ending? WASHINGTON / ANKARA — A viral YouTube video claims the United States has lifted all sanctions on Türkiye. That headline sounds big—but here’s what’s actually happening, in simple, straight talk. President Donald Trump has publicly signaled he’s open to lifting U.S. sanctions connected to Türkiye’s 2019 purchase of […]
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
JERUSALEM / ANKARA / WASHINGTON President Donald Trump used a rare address to Israel’s Knesset on Monday to celebrate a cease-fire that saw Hamas hand over the last living Israeli hostages as Israel began releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners—an exchange described by Israeli officials as the most consequential since the war began two years ago.
U.S.–Türkiye Agricultural Ties: Overview, Trends, and Policy Context Why this relationship matters Türkiye (population ~85 million) is a major food producer, processor, and regional trade hub spanning Europe, the Middle East, and the Black Sea. For the United States, Türkiye is a mid-tier but strategic agricultural partner—important both as a buyer of U.S. commodities and
Preserving Heritage or Erasing It? The Controversy Behind the U.S.–Turkiye Cultural Property Deal The renewal of the U.S.–Türkiye cultural property agreement has become the latest arena where history, heritage, and politics collide. For Türkiye, the agreement is about protecting priceless artifacts from smugglers. For Armenian lobby groups, it has become an opportunity to challenge Türkiye
Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC-10): Background, Key Issues Military and Entrepreneurial Background Pat Harrigan is a U.S. Representative from North Carolina’s 10th District who brings a notable military and technical background to Congress. A West Point graduate in nuclear engineering, Harrigan served as a U.S. Army infantry officer and Green Beret with deployments to Afghanistan. He
Ethnic Lobby Alliance Targets U.S. Ambassador Over Pro-Türkiye Syria Policy In an unusual alliance, three U.S.-based ethnic lobbying groups — the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), and the American Friends of Kurdistan — have jointly demanded the removal of Ambassador Tom Barrack, who currently serves as both the
From Sanctions to Strategy: How Trump’s Return Is Rewriting U.S.–Turkey Defense Ties In a dramatic turn of diplomatic tides, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently declared that U.S. sanctions on Turkey’s defense industry are beginning to ease—thanks to renewed relations with President Donald Trump. For years, U.S.-Turkey relations were strained by Ankara’s controversial purchase of
