Updated July 11, 2024
Turkey (Türkiye)-U.S. Relations: Timeline and Brief Historical
Context
This timeline tracks major developments from the
Turkish intervention in Cyprus after ethnic Greek-
beginning of close U.S.-Turkey (Türkiye) ties after World
Turkish power sharing breaks down
War II to the present. The information provides context for
1971
Turkey’s second military coup occurs with the
lawmakers assessing the tenor and trajectory of current
government’s resignation amid increasing street violence;
bilateral relations on issues ranging from general strategic
elections resume in 1973
cooperation to timely regional concerns and domestic
Turkish politics.
1974
Turkey, using U.S.-supplied equipment, occupies the
northern third of the island of Cyprus (an occupation that
Early Cold War Partners (1945-1962)
has continued to the present) on behalf of Turkish
Soviet pressure on the Turkish government to allow free
Cypriot minority, following a coup that installed a more
passage through the Turkish straits (the Bosphorus and
pro-Greek government on the island
Dardanelles) and its territorial claims in eastern Anatolia
1975
Congress freezes aid and imposes arms embargo on
threatened to precipitate hostilities between the two states,
Turkey for its actions in Cyprus
whose predecessors (the Russian and Ottoman Empires)
had fought 12 wars over the preceding four centuries.
Turkey abrogates U.S. status of forces agreement; takes
Turkey turned to the United States for support. Mutual
control of U.S. installations; U.S. forces performing NATO
opposition to Soviet expansion would underpin Turkey-
functions remain
U.S. ties in the coming decades.
1978
After intense lobbying by multiple presidential
administrations and several votes to partially lift the
1945
Turkey declares war on Germany and Japan in February;
embargo, Congress fully repeals it
becomes founding member of the United Nations
1946
In response to Soviet demands on Turkey for shared
Renewed Military Cooperation
(1980-1991)
administration of the straits, the United States counters
Soviet pressure by sending ships to Turkish waters
The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and Iran’s Islamic
Revolution heightened the strategic importance of the
1947
Congress designates Turkey (along with Greece) a special
Turkey-U.S. relationship for American interests in the
recipient of anti-Soviet aid under the Truman Doctrine
broader Middle East.
1950
Turkish troops join U.S.-U.N. forces in the Korean War
1952
Turkey becomes a member of the North Atlantic
1980
United States and Turkey sign Defense and Economic
Treaty Organization (NATO)
Cooperation Agreement
1954
U.S. and Turkey agree to joint use of what becomes
Turkey’s third coup in response to social and political
Incirlik Air Base; U.S. and Turkey sign first status of
turmoil; elections resume in 1983
forces agreement
1984
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) begins significant
1960
First military coup in Turkey; civilian rule returns with
operations in its armed insurgency in southeastern
elections in 1961
Turkey
1962
Resolution of Cuban Missile Crisis includes U.S.
1991
Turkey allows the use of its airspace and bases for U.S.
agreement to remove nuclear-armed Jupiter missiles
and coalition aircraft participating in Gulf War and for
(judged by the U.S. to be obsolete) from Turkey
the postwar patrolling of northern Iraq
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.
1991-
United States announces closure of 8 of its 12 military
1964
Letter from President Lyndon Johnson to Turkish Prime
1992
bases in Turkey; major U.S. military grant aid to
Minister Ismet Inonu communicates U.S. opposition to
Turkey discontinued in post-Cold War environment
1992
PKK-led Kurdish insurgency intensifies in Turkey
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Turkey (Türkiye)-U.S. Relations: Timeline and Brief Historical Context
1994
Congress withholds military loans to Turkey until
of Congress reportedly place informal holds on major
submission of executive branch report on alleged human
arms sales to Turkey
rights violations in relations to Turkey-PKK violence
In northeastern Syria, Turkish-led forces attack the
U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces mentioned above,
1997
Turkish military compels the removal of a government led
increasing the Syrian territory Turkey administers along its
by an Islamist prime minister
border, and triggering strong U.S. criticism
U.S. designates the PKK as a foreign terrorist organization
2020
Turkey’s successful use of drone aircraft against
1999
Turkey captures PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan with U.S.
Russian-origin equipment in Syria and elsewhere gains it
assistance; PKK declares ceasefire
greater global notoriety linked with its arms exports
2001
Turkey joins the International Security Assistance Force
Eastern Mediterranean maritime border and energy
(ISAF) in Afghanistan
disputes intensify between Turkey and some NATO
countries and other U.S. partners
AKP and the Middle East (2003-2012)
The Trump Administration imposes sanctions on
After the 2002 election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice
Turkey’s arms procurement agency and some of its
and Development Party (known in Turkish as the AKP),
officials for the S-400 acquisition
and Erdogan’s election as prime minister in 2003, Turkey-
U.S. relations were shaped by Turkey’s growing economic
2021
President Biden characterizes Ottoman Empire actions
and political clout in the Middle East.
against Armenians during World War I as genocide (the
House and Senate passed resolutions of similar substance
in 2019)
2003
PKK resumes insurgency and attacks against Turkey from
safe havens in northern Iraq
Allies in a New Era (2022-Present)
2004
Turkey downgrades ties with Israel after Israel’s raid on
The Russia-Ukraine war and responses within NATO come
the Mavi Marmara (part of an activist-led flotilla seeking
as Turkey and other mid-size powers are gauging how to
humanitarian relief for the Gaza Strip) leaves eight Turkish
use their relationships with great powers to maximize their
citizens dead
regional and global influence.
2010
2022
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine leads to a multi-faceted
2011
Turkey agrees to U.S./NATO deployment of missile
Turkish response: some military and political support for
defense radar on its territory
Ukraine, and increased economic and energy ties with
Russia; Turkey mediates between the warring parties
More Challenges to Cooperation
(including on a 2022-2023 Black Sea Grain Initiative)
(2013-2021)
Sweden and Finland seek NATO accession; Turkey
Factors driving U.S.-Turkey tensions include the conflict in
demands they take action against people Turkey deems to
Syria and Turkey’s purchase of a Russian S-400 air defense
be terrorists as a condition to approving accession
system. Domestic developments, including the July 2016
coup attempt and Erdogan’s increased consolidation of
2023
The Biden Administration declares its support for a
political control, have further challenged bilateral relations.
possible F-16 sale to Turkey to strengthen its air force
and NATO cohesion; Turkey approves Finland’s accession
2013
Nationwide protests and corruption allegations increase
into NATO, but some in Congress demand Sweden’s
domestic and Western criticism of Erdogan and his
accession before supporting the F-16 sale
government
President Erdogan is reelected again
2014
U.S.-Turkey differences deepen in Syria over jihadists’
October outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas
alleged use of Turkish territory and U.S. support for PKK-
increases Turkey-Israel tension, including because of
aligned Syrian Kurds;
Erdogan’s political support for Hamas
Erdogan elected president
2024
Turkey approves Sweden’s accession into NATO; U.S. F-
16 sale to Turkey advances at the same time as a possible
2016
After July coup attempt, Turkey requests that the U.S.
F-35 sale to Greece
extradite influential Turkish figure Fethullah Gulen, and
begins direct military operations in Syria to counter the
AKP faces major losses in local elections
Islamic State and Kurdish-led forces
Turkey announces trade suspension with Israel related to
war in Gaza
2017
U.S. begins directly arming PKK-linked Kurdish forces in
Syria against Turkish wishes
Constitutional changes expanding presidential powers
Jim Zanotti, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs
narrowly approved by referendum
Clayton Thomas, Acting Section Research Manager
2018
President Erdogan wins reelection
IF10487
2019
Turkey takes delivery of S-400 system from Russia; the
U.S. removes Turkey from F-35 program; some Members
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Turkey (Türkiye)-U.S. Relations: Timeline and Brief Historical Context
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10487 · VERSION 12 · UPDATED