Trump’s Win on Turkey Provides an Opening
In returning a jailed pastor, Turkey acknowledged it needs the United States. Both sides should seize the opportunity.
Brunson’s release was great news for Trump.
Photographer: The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
The return of Andrew Brunson from Turkey is a rare foreign-policy win for U.S. President Donald Trump: Economic sanctions and strong words worked. The line from Turkey, that the American pastor was released as a matter of due process, gives President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cover for his retreat — but it’s a retreat nonetheless.
The move creates an opportunity for both sides. Erdogan has just acknowledged that he needs U.S. support to contend with domestic and regional problems. Equally, American economic and security interests in the Middle East and Central Asia require closer cooperation with Turkey.