Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations

CRS Report for Congress (USA) June 21, 2013, 52 p.

Jim Zanotti *

This report provides background information on Turkey and discusses possible policy options for Members of Congress and the Obama Administration. US relations with Turkey a longtime NATO ally have evolved over time as global challenges to US interests have changed. Turkey’s economic dynamism and geopolitical importance it straddles Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia and now has the world’s 16th-largest economy have increased its influence regionally and globally. Although Turkey still depends on the United States and other NATO allies for political and strategic support, growing economic diversification and military self-reliance allows Turkey to exercise greater leverage with the West.

* Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs

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