Erdogan Takes Action, But Washington Stays Silent

The recent arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul, by Turkish authorities on charges of corruption and terrorism, along with the simultaneous cancellation of his diploma by Istanbul University, which would disqualify him from running for office has set off sizeable demonstrations in Turkey.

This move comes just days before İmamoğlu was expected to be nominated by Turkey’s opposition party, the CHP (Republican People’s Party), to challenge President Erdoğan. It is clear that Erdoğan is aiming to neutralize İmamoğlu, a rising political figure, by removing him as a potential threat ahead of what could be an early election. Erdoğan is constitutionally limited to serving two terms, so forcing a premature election may be his only route to extending his rule.

Washington has remained notably silent on Erdoğan’s actions. This move comes immediately after a phone call between Erdoğan and President Trump, which, according to official statements, covered topics such as lifting sanctions on Syria, Ukraine, and the potential reinstatement of Turkey in the F-35 fighter jet program.

Erdoğan has long been a key asset for the United States, with strategic importance in various global arenas. He has played a pivotal role in the Syrian conflict, helped maintain a delicate balance regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza, and has positioned Turkey as crucial to European security, particularly in relation to Russia, now with European defence and the migration crisis, all issues which Washington is looking to exploit with Europe. Given this positioning by Erdogan, Washington may not see any immediate need to challenge Erdoğan’s political maneuvering.

Furthermore, with Trump having cultivated a positive relationship with Erdoğan, it is unlikely that the U.S. will make any significant pushback against the situation. There is also the possibility that the CHP could field a proxy candidate to protest Erdoğan’s actions, but it remains to be seen how this will impact the political landscape. The Turkish economy, particularly the issue of inflation, remains a central mobilizing factor for the CHP. It’s likely that Washington will continue to engage with Turkey’s deep state to ensure that U.S. interests are prioritized in the region.