Updated January 4, 2019
Turkey-U.S. Relations: Timeline and Brief Historical Context
This timeline tracks major developments from the
1964
Letter from President Lyndon Johnson to
beginning of close U.S.-Turkey ties after World War II to
Turkish Prime Minister Ismet Inonu (known as
the present. The information provides context for
the “Johnson Letter”) communicates U.S.
lawmakers assessing the tenor and trajectory of current
opposition to Turkish intervention in Cyprus
bilateral relations on issues ranging from general strategic
after ethnic Greek-Turkish power sharing
cooperation to timely regional concerns (Syria and Iraq,
breaks down
Kurds, Islamic State) and domestic Turkish politics.
1971
Turkey’s second military coup occurs with
Early Cold War Partners (1945-1962)
the government’s resignation amid increasing
Soviet pressure on the Turkish government to allow free
street violence; elections resume in 1973
passage through the Turkish straits (the Bosphorus and
1974
Turkey, using U.S.-supplied equipment, occupies
Dardanelles) and its territorial claims in eastern Anatolia
the northern third of the island of Cyprus (an
threatened to precipitate hostilities between the two states,
occupation that has continued to the present)
whose predecessors (the Russian and Ottoman Empires)
on behalf of Turkish Cypriot minority, fol owing
had fought 12 wars over the preceding four centuries.
a coup that installed a more pro-Greek
Turkey turned to the United States for support. Mutual
government on the island
opposition to Soviet expansion would underpin Turkey-
U.S. ties in the coming decades.
1975
Congress freezes aid and imposes arms
embargo on Turkey for its actions in Cyprus
1945
Turkey declares war on Germany and Japan in

Turkey abrogates U.S. status of forces

February; becomes founding member of the
agreement; takes control of U.S. installations;
United Nations
U.S. forces performing NATO functions remain
1946
In response to Soviet demands on Turkey for
1978
After intense lobbying by multiple presidential

shared administration of the straits, the United
administrations and several votes to partially lift
States counters Soviet pressure by sending
the embargo, Congress ful y repeals it
ships to Turkish waters

1947
Congress designates Turkey (along with
Renewed Military Cooperation
Greece) a special recipient of anti-Soviet aid
(1980-1991)
under the Truman Doctrine
The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and Iranian
revolution heightened the strategic importance of the
1950
Turkish troops join U.S.-U.N. forces in the
Turkey-U.S. relationship for American interests in the
Korean War
broader Middle East.
1952
Turkey becomes a member of NATO
1980
United States and Turkey sign Defense and
1954
U.S. and Turkey agree to joint use of what
Economic Cooperation Agreement
becomes Incirlik air base; U.S. and Turkey
sign first status of forces agreement

Turkey’s third coup in response to social and
political turmoil; elections resume in 1983
1955
Turkey helps form Baghdad Pact to resist Soviet
aggression
1984
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) begins
significant operations in its armed insurgency in
1960
First military coup in Turkey; civilian rule
southeastern Turkey
returns with elections in 1961
1991
Turkey allows the use of its airspace and bases
1962
Resolution of Cuban Missile Crisis includes
for U.S. and coalition aircraft participating in
U.S. agreement to remove nuclear-armed
Gulf War and for the postwar patrol ing of
Jupiter missiles (judged by the U.S. to be
northern Iraq
obsolete) from Turkey.

Allies amid Challenges (1963-1978)
Reassessment (1991-2002)
Turkey’s relative importance for U.S. policymakers
U.S.-Turkey relations were particularly challenged by
Turkey’s
declined in the immediate aftermath of the Gulf War and
frequent clashes with fellow NATO member
the collapse of the Soviet Union, but focus remained on a
Greece over the ethnically divided island of Cyprus. Anti-
number of regional developments involving Turkey.
Americanism grew as Turks increasingly debated the
benefits and drawbacks of the bilateral relationship.
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Turkey-U.S. Relations: Timeline and Brief Historical Context
1991-1992
United States announces closure of 8 of its 12
Cooperation and Contention
military bases in Turkey; and major U.S.
(2013-Present)
military grant aid to Turkey discontinued
A U.S.-led coalition has staged anti-Islamic State
in post-Cold War environment
operations from Turkish bases, and NATO helps to
reinforce security at Turkey’s southern border. However,
1992
PKK-led Kurdish insurgency intensifies in
U.S. and Turkish priorities differ in Syria and elsewhere.
Turkey
Domestic contention in Turkey, including the July 2016
1994
Congress enacts legislation withholding
coup attempt and Erdogan’s increased consolidation of
military loans to Turkey until the executive
political control, and closer Turkish relations with Russia
branch submits a report on alleged human
have further complicated bilateral relations.
rights violations related to Turkey-PKK violence
2013
Nationwide protests and corruption allegations
1996
Turkey-Israel military cooperation agreement
increase domestic and Western criticism of
1997
Turkish military compels the replacement of a
Erdogan and his government
coalition government led by an Islamist prime

PKK declares cease-fire as Ocalan negotiates
minister
with Turkey

U.S. designation of PKK as foreign terrorist
2014
U.S.-Turkey differences deepen in Syria over
organization
jihadists’ alleged use of Turkish territory,
1999
Turkey captures PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan
U.S. support for Syrian Kurds aligned with the
with reported U.S. assistance; PKK declares
PKK, and other issues.
cease-fire
2015
After some Islamic State-linked terror attacks in
2001
Turkey joins the International Security
Turkey, Turkey permits coalition airstrikes in
Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan,
Syria and Iraq; Turkey-PKK violence resumes
participating mostly in a training capacity
2016
After July coup attempt, Turkey requests that
the U.S. extradite influential Turkish figure
AKP and the Middle East (2003-2012)
Fethullah Gulen, and begins direct military
After the 2002 election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice
operations in Syria to counter the Islamic State
and Development Party (known in Turkish as the AKP),
and Kurdish-led forces
and Erdogan’s election as prime minister in 2003, Turkey-
Turkey enters diplomatic process for Syria with
U.S. relations were shaped by Turkey’s growing economic
Russia and Iran
and political clout in the Middle East.
2017
U.S. begins directly arming Kurdish forces
2003
Turkish parliamentary votes do not allow U.S.
against Turkish wishes
invasion of Iraq from Turkey, but do allow

Constitutional changes expanding presidential
U.S. use of Turkish bases for overflight of Iraq
powers approved by popular referendum
after U.S.-led occupation of Iraq

Turkey detains several U.S. citizens and Turkish

“Hood incident” involving U.S. military
employees of U.S. diplomatic facilities
detainment of Turkish special forces occurs in
Iraq, fueling anti-American sentiment

Turkey preliminarily agrees to purchase S-400
missile defense system from Russia
2004
PKK resumes insurgency and attacks against
Turkey from safe havens in northern Iraq
2018
President Erdogan wins reelection as Turkey
transitions to its new presidential system of
2007
U.S. begins close military and intelligence
governance amid economic turbulence
cooperation with Turkey against PKK in
northern Iraq

Trump Administration and Congress warn that
a Turkish S-400 purchase could halt the transfer
2010
Turkey downgrades ties with Israel after an
of F-35 aircraft to Turkey; the Administration
Israeli raid on the privately-owned ship Mavi
seeks to sell Patriot systems to Turkey as an
Marmara (part of an activist-led flotil a seeking
alternative to the S-400.
humanitarian relief for the Gaza Strip) leaves
eight Turkish citizens dead

Turkey intervenes directly against Syrian
Kurdish forces in Afrin province and threatens
2010
Turkey and Brazil unsuccessful y oppose
additional action in Syria as U.S. announces
enhanced U.N. Security Council sanctions
plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.
against Iran in relation to its nuclear program

2011
Turkey agrees to U.S./NATO deployment of
missile defense radar on its territory and
Jim Zanotti, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs
agrees to NATO operations in Libya
Clayton Thomas, Presidential Management Fellow in


Middle Eastern Affairs
IF10487
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Turkey-U.S. Relations: Timeline and Brief Historical Context


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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10487 · VERSION 4 · UPDATED

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