Zack, Jenn, and Alex break down the tension between the US and one of its major NATO allies, Turkey. The most recent fight is over Turkey’s purchase of a Russian missile system, but that’s emblematic of a much deeper rift relating to the Turkish government’s drift towards authoritarianism and the two ally’s diametrically opposed policies in Syria. They also then venture some guesses about whether this could get better — but since this is Worldly, you probably know where our hosts are going to come down on that.

Links!

Alex explains the background on the S-400 missile situation.

Turkey’s bid to join NATO was approved in 1951 (though it was technically effective in 1952).

Here’s a diplomatic cable from 1964 on how the Johnson administration’s handling of Cyprus shaped the US-Turkey relationship (wasn’t good!)

Alex’s piece also has a good short explanation on Gulf War tensions between the US and Turkey.

Here’s a Zack piece on the complicated US-Turkey-Kurdish tensions in Syria.

And another Zack piece on Turkey’s conflict with Kurdish separatists inside its borders.

Pastor Andrew Brunson, explained.

And here’s some solid background on how Turkey and Russia are growing closer.

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