Skip to main content

What will it take to defuse US-Turkey crisis?

The US Treasury's sanctions against two high-level Turkish officials — a move unprecedented between NATO allies — has pushed the ailing Turkish lira to record lows against the dollar and the two sides could become trapped in an escalating spiral.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, blows a watchmen whistle during a ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, August 25, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC16D1688D50

The US Treasury’s Aug. 1 bombshell about sanctioning two key ministers in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Cabinet over the continued detention of North Carolina pastor Andrew Brunson has spurred frenzied speculation about an imminent and irremediable rupture between the two NATO allies. How much worse can things get, and with neither side inclined to back down, what will it take to defuse the crisis?

The immediate effects of Treasury moves to freeze any US-based assets belonging to Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul and “generally prohibiting US persons from engaging in transactions with them” was to push the ailing Turkish lira to record lows against the dollar. Experts maintain the pair are the most senior officials sanctioned so far under the Global Magnitsky Act of 2016 punishing human rights abuse and corruption.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.