Under Pressure: The Trajectory of U.S.-Turkish Relations

Hudson Institute will host a discussion exploring the interplay between internal and external developments in Turkey and what it portends for U.S.-Turkish relations. Panelists will include the Svante Cornell, senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council; Alan Makovsky, senior fellow at Center for American Progress; Blaise Misztal, a fellow at Hudson Institute; and Lisel Hintz, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. The discussion will be moderated by Hudson Senior Fellow Lee Smith.

Turkish President Erdogan has suffered setbacks in recent weeks, both domestic and international. In the March 31 local elections, his party lost control of most of Turkey’s major cities, including Ankara, and Istanbul—until the election board suspiciously ordered a new election. Meanwhile, the United States has increasingly urged Turkey to suspend its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, threatened to pull Turkey out of the F-35 program, and has declined to renew Turkey's sanctions exemption on its Iranian energy procurements.

Erdogan has pushed back, however, leading the campaign for a re-do of the Istanbul mayoral election, while continuing to insist on acquiring Russian armaments. Some 100 Turkish soldiers are reportedly scheduled to begin training on the S-400 in Russia at the end of this month.

**NOTE: This event is open to the press. All members of the media should RSVP to [email protected].**