US annoyance with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, over his barely veiled allegations that the United States was behind the Gezi Park protests, has been apparent for some time. Washington has, nevertheless, given him the benefit of the doubt due to Turkey’s geopolitical importance and alliance with the West, especially at a time of turmoil in the Middle East.
New accusations by Erdogan, following the Dec. 17 corruption scandal, have aggravated matters, and it seems that in Washington, patience with him and his party is wearing thin. A rise in negative commentary and editorials on Turkey in the US media — including the views of two former US ambassadors to Ankara — shows that not all is well in Turkish-US ties.
Tellingly, President Barack Obama has not felt the need since August to call Erdogan for consultations on anything, including crucial developments in the Middle East. The US side is said to be increasingly nettled over Erdogan’s allegation that the United States is also behind the current corruption scandal, and particularly angered by his suggestion that US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone remain in Ankara on sufferance.
Erdogan targeted Ricciardone after alleged remarks by the ambassador concerning the corruption scandal were splashed across three pro-government dailies. Yeni Safak, Star and Aksam claimed on Dec. 21 that Ricciardone told EU ambassadors in Ankara, after the corruption scandal broke, that Erdogan’s empire was collapsing.
AL-MONITOR All-Access gives you unlimited access to all our journalism, the full Daily Briefing, exclusive interviews, premium newsletters, and live events — for less than $2/week.
