EGF Turkey File, April 24 — May 18, 2017

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics

24 April — 18 May, 2017

By John VanPool, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst

Key Points:

• President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits Washington D.C. hoping to halt his American counterpart"s support for Syrian Kurdish forces and secure the extradition of Fetullah Gulen.
• Erdogan"s bodyguards appear to be involved in a highly publicized attack on protestors in Washington D.C., further sullying the reputation of Turkey"s leader in the American capital.
• Turkish Steam Pipeline"s offshore construction work begins, adding depth to Turkey"s role as an energy hub in the Black Sea region.
• An April report from the International Monetary Fund predicts slow growth prospects for Turkey, but there may be hope on the horizon for important industries like tourism.
• More politicians face prosecution, with the justice ministry seeking to revoke parliamentary immunity from 18 deputies nearly all from the CHP and HDP, including CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
• Ties with NATO allies and the EU continue to wither, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying her nation would explore moving its NATO troop contingent out of Incirlik Air Base to Jordan.