Portrait of Recep Tayyip Erdogan
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Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Joe Biden

Mixed diplomatic engagement (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's position on Joe Biden involves a transactional relationship marked by historical friction and current urgent cooperation.

Key Points

  • Erdogan strongly denounced Biden's formal recognition of the 1915 events as genocide in April 2021.

  • He called for a full review of US-Turkey relations following the genocide recognition, noting the negative impact.

  • In December 2023, Erdogan told Biden that the United States held responsibility for securing a Gaza ceasefire.

Summary

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's stance toward Joe Biden has been characterized by a blend of strong criticism and pragmatic engagement, reflecting the complex US-Turkey relationship. A significant point of contention early in the Biden administration was the US President's formal recognition of the events of 1915 as genocide, which Erdogan strongly condemned as a grave mistake that would damage bilateral ties. Despite this, the Turkish President has consistently sought direct communication with his US counterpart, engaging in phone calls to discuss critical regional issues, particularly developments in Gaza, where he has urged the American leader to secure a ceasefire. The relationship necessitates interaction, even when underlying ideological or historical differences remain.

This dynamic has seen the Turkish leader both congratulate Biden following his election victory and later express frustration over specific policy divergences, such as support for groups Turkey deems terrorist organizations. The relationship is fundamentally transactional, focusing on areas of mutual interest like NATO cohesion or regional security, while concurrently navigating sensitive bilateral issues, including disagreements over weapon sales and human rights. Therefore, Erdogan views Biden through a lens of immediate necessity and underlying tension, requiring constant diplomatic management to balance national interests against the demands of the alliance.

Key Quotes

“I believe that the strong cooperation and alliance between our countries will continue to contribute to world peace in the future, as it has done so far,”

“The US president has made comments that are groundless and unfair,”

“... that the scenes at the U.S. House of Representatives have caused a deep disappointment in Türkiye and the world, that the assassination carried out against Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh has dealt a heavy blow to the ceasefire efforts, and that Israel seeks to spread the fire in Gaza to the entire region.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds a mixed position on Joe Biden, engaging in necessary diplomacy while maintaining strong opposition to certain US policies, such as the genocide recognition. The relationship is often strained but remains pragmatically transactional given their roles as NATO allies. Erdogan frequently communicates directly with the US President on pressing geopolitical matters.

Yes, the stance has evolved from initial caution and strong condemnation following the genocide recognition to a more direct, issue-based engagement. Initially, relations were described as cool and cautious, but Turkey later sought direct calls with Biden to address crises like the situation in Gaza. This shows a shift driven by immediate foreign policy necessities rather than ideological alignment.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned Joe Biden's formal recognition of the 1915 events as genocide, calling it a deeply regrettable step that would negatively impact US-Turkey relations. He viewed the decision as politically motivated and historically inaccurate. This statement marked a significant low point in their bilateral relationship early in the American President's term.

Sources6

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.