How does the United States handle relations with Turkey?

The United States and Turkey have a complex and sometimes strained relationship, influenced by a range of political and strategic issues. While the two countries are formally allies, their relationship has been tested in recent years by a number of factors, including tensions over regional conflicts, disagreements over human rights and democratic values, and differences over military and security matters.

One major point of contention between the US and Turkey has been Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. The US has criticized this move as undermining NATO's collective defense and imposed sanctions on Turkey as a result. In addition, Turkey's military intervention in Syria and its involvement in the Libyan conflict have caused tensions with the US and other NATO allies.

Despite these challenges, the US and Turkey continue to cooperate on a range of economic, security, and humanitarian issues. For example, Turkey hosts millions of refugees from Syria and has been an important partner in efforts to combat ISIS in the region. Additionally, the US and Turkey have strong economic ties, with Turkey serving as an important market for US goods and services.

In recent years, the US has sought to engage with Turkey on a range of issues, including human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. However, progress in these areas has been slow, and tensions between the two countries continue to be a challenge for both sides.