The value of Turkey as a NATO ally is at best questionable as long as the country provides shelter to terrorist groups such as Hamas, said Jonathan Schanzer, an American analyst from the think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), in an interview with the Greek portal Kathimerini.
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In his opinion, Turkey still enjoys a special status in Washington due to its role in NATO and the belief that it can be part of an anti-Russian bloc.
However, members of the U.S. Congress are reportedly outraged by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, although “it is not clear how this will be expressed in legislation.”
Schanzer believes that Washington could immediately impose sanctions on specific individuals and entities in Turkey in connection with Hamas activities in the country.
“Furthermore, the United States has everything it needs to designate Turkey as a state sponsor of terrorism. If Washington deems it appropriate, there is evidence for it. Turkey certainly meets the criteria,” added the analyst.
According to him, the U.S. may also start pressuring NATO to establish a mechanism for removing countries from the Alliance, although it wouldn’t necessarily have to be applied immediately.
“Turkey will feel pressure from the United States in the coming times. The issue of Hamas will be a huge headache for Erdoğan. However, I suspect he will find a way to make only minimal changes and still enjoy support on Capitol Hill,” Schanzer assessed.
Blinken in Turkey amid protests
Shortly before the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled to arrive in Ankara for discussions on Gaza on Sunday, hundreds of protesters at a pro-Palestinian rally attempted to storm an air base housing American troops. Turkish police responded with water cannons and tear gas.
Video from the demonstrations showed police deploying water cannons and tear gas to scatter demonstrators who were chanting slogans and waving Turkish and Palestinian flags. Demonstrators overturned barriers and engaged in combat with law enforcement officers wearing riot gear.
While police were firing smoke bombs at the crowds, demonstrators could also be seen hurling rocks, plastic chairs, and other objects at them. Clashes erupted between the crowds and the security forces.
