U.S.-Turkey Relations in the Era of Erdogan’s “Hostage Diplomacy”

On October 24, 2017 FDD hosted a lunch panel discussion titled “U.S.-Turkey Relations in the Era of Erdogan’s ‘Hostage Diplomacy’.” Moderated by Dion Nissenbaum, a national security reporter for The Wall Street Journal, the discussion featured experts who confronted the growing concerns over Turkish President Erdogan’s “hostage diplomacy” using Western nationals as bargaining chips.

Joining Nissenbaum was Ambassador Eric Edelman, a former career minister from the U.S. Foreign Service and a current Senior Advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and member of its Advisory Board on Turkey; Dr. Aykan Erdemir, a former member of the Turkish Parliament and current Senior Fellow at FDD focusing on Turkey; and Dr. Lisel Hintz, an Associate Professor of International Relations and European studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Erdemir began the discussion by exploring the meaning of “hostage diplomacy,” noting its evolution from the initial “scapegoating of religious minorities and foreign nationals” to their later use as “bargaining chips.” Turkish President Erdogan made the first public swap offer in July 2017 with Germany, and has recently made an offer to the U.S. to exchange Pastor Andrew Brunson. Erdemir criticized Erdogan’s hostage diplomacy, calling it a “haphazard, makeshift policy in the making,” and added that “Erdogan is both the hostage taker as well as a hostage of the conspiracy theories pushed by his inner circle.” Simply put, what initially began as a plan to scapegoat religious minorities, and then Westerners, developed into a full-fledged hostage diplomacy.

Hintz agreed with Erdemir and added that in terms of strategy, “the dimensions go past negotiating in terms of hostages…but rather how Erdogan can swipe back at his opponents in the international arena by taking individuals into custody on his own territory.” After narrowly winning the referendum in April, Erdogan has resorted to stealing votes by pushing back against the West and rousing populist and Islamist support at home.

Edelman highlighted attempts from “the Erdogan government trying to export its authoritarian thuggery to the United States” and called for restoration of U.S. rule of law. He also stated that “Erdogan is taking a leaf from the typical authoritarian handbook.” Hintz added to this by pointing out that Erdogan, and other authoritarian leaders, attempt to “delegitimize any form of opposition they can by rhetorically vilifying them by using politically potent words like terrorist.”

Focusing on how best to apply pressure to Erdogan’s regime, Edelman expressed belief that the best solution would be to “hold up a mirror to Turkish society by standing for rule of law, by standing for freedom of expression, by standing for human rights, by making it clear that we find it unacceptable for the government of Turkey to target the Turks who work for the United States embassy and our consulates in Turkey.” He emphasized the importance of revealing the government’s role in corruption and sanctions evasion to Turkish citizens.

In suggesting a policy going forward, Erdemir enthusiastically encouraged the West to “Engage, engage, engage…Engage and empower Turkey’s other half, those who are embarrassed by the hostage policies and those who want restorative justice.” Erdemir argued that most Turks look up to the values of the European Union.

In addition to Erdogan’s “hostage diplomacy,” the panel explored the recent visa suspension by both the U.S. and Turkey as well and the fraying relations between Turkey and its NATO allies and. All three panelists concluded that the U.S. must engage the Turkish people, but refrain from appeasing Erdogan’s authoritarian regime.

Click here to watch video of the full event.

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