GPI Global Policy Institute

Global Policy Institute (GPI) hosted a panel discussion on February 2, 2017, with the title “Turkey – US Relations: A Clean Slate?”. Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs General Mark Kimmitt, Foreign Policy Advisor to President Donald Trump during his campaign period Dr. Walid Phares, and President of the American Studies Center at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul Dr. Burak Kuntay were among the panelists. Paolo von Schirach, the president of GPI was the moderator. The future of Turkish-American relations was on high agenda. General Kimmitt emphasized the crucial nature of Turkish-American cooperation in solving the regional crises and said it was not possible for the US to do it without Turkey. Dr. Phares also reiterated the deep roots of the good relations between the two countries and talked about his expectation of a renaissance of mutual partnership between Turkey and the US. Finally, Dr. Burak Kuntay talked about the sensitivities of Turkish public about the July 15 coup attempt and recent terror attacks in Turkey. He asked for the US administration to take these sensitivities into account and work with the Turkish government to improve relations.