Why the US, once at odds with Turkey, joined earthquake diplomacy

Turkey Introduces Russian Surface-to-Air Missiles... Strained Relations with US
US Blinken Visits Turkey, Signs of Reconciliation?

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Tony Blinken, the United States' top diplomat, is visiting Turkiye, where the worst earthquake disaster in history has occurred. Although the U.S. previously faced difficulties due to Turkiye's isolated stance, attention is focused on whether the two countries' strained relations will improve through "earthquake diplomacy."

According to foreign media on the 15th (local time), the U.S. State Department announced that Secretary Blinken will tour Germany, Turkiye, and Greece from the 16th to the 22nd. On the 19th, Blinken will travel to Turkiye to inspect U.S. relief sites and meet with high-ranking officials, including Turkiye's Foreign Minister in Ankara, to discuss earthquake-related aid and other matters.

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Although the U.S. has a complicated relationship with Turkiye, it appears to be participating in earthquake diplomacy such as relief activities to restore the strained diplomatic ties. Turkiye is a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) ally and has been on the same side as the U.S., but it did not join the U.S.-led sanctions against Russia and caused difficulties for the U.S. by blocking Sweden and Finland's NATO accession, showing discordant actions.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated especially in 2019 when Turkiye introduced Russia's missile defense system S-400, which is at odds with NATO. At that time, the U.S. opposed the acquisition, citing concerns that sensitive military information could be leaked to Russia through this weapon, but Turkiye proceeded with the purchase.

The S-400 is a medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile system, often called the "Russian version of THAAD" (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), which has been deployed by the Russian military since 2007. It can intercept low-flying cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and military aircraft.

In response, in 2020, the U.S. banned the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Turkiye and imposed sanctions on Turkish authorities and senior officials under CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), which penalizes transactions harmful to U.S. interests.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey. Photo by Yonhap News

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye clashed with the U.S. and other NATO members in mid-May last year over the new NATO membership applications of Sweden and Finland, which had abandoned their neutral status. Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership after the outbreak of the Ukraine war, but Turkiye opposed their accession.

Unanimous consent from all 30 NATO member countries is required for new membership. However, Turkiye opposed the accession of these two countries, accusing them of supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Turkiye designates as terrorists.

From the U.S. perspective, expanding and strengthening NATO was urgent to counter the Russian threat amid the prolonged Ukraine war, but Turkiye's opposition became an obstacle. Ultimately, U.S. President Joe Biden offered incentives to Turkiye, agreeing to sell F-16 fighter jets to the country.

Despite being in a difficult position, Turkiye is emphasized as an ally by the U.S. rather than being engaged in diplomatic disputes. The U.S. was the first country to issue a statement expressing condolences. On the 7th, the White House stated, "We are ready to provide all necessary support," and "President Biden has directed USAID and the federal government to seek measures to assist those most affected by this earthquake."

Meanwhile, earthquake diplomacy refers to the improvement of relations between countries with strained ties through mutual support in the wake of natural disasters. A representative example is the reconciliation mood formed when Greece, a longtime adversary, provided generous aid after a major earthquake struck Turkiye in August 1999.

At that time, when the earthquake occurred in Turkiye, Greece made large-scale aid efforts to help with recovery. A month later, when an earthquake struck near Athens, Greece, Turkiye dispatched rescue teams to assist Greece.