In the wake of Hamas’s October 7 terror attacks on Israel, Turkey’s material support for the terrorist organization has come under increased scrutiny by the United States and beyond. Under the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara has offered safe harbor to Hamas leadership, allowing the terror organization to raise and transfer funds, recruit members, and coordinate regional activities. Additionally, emerging evidence indicates that Ankara either ignores or is complicit in militarily supplying the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists who continue to attack commercial and military shipping, including American military personnel. Further afield, Turkey’s role related to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine is also being rightfully scrutinized. Since October 7, the U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned a number of entities based in Turkey with many others having been identified as ripe for designation.

FDD host a conversation with Gallia Lindenstrauss, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies; Michael Rubin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; and Tugce Varol, adjunct professor at San Diego City College. The discussion is moderated by Sinan Ciddi, non-resident senior fellow at FDD, with introductory remarks by FDD senior vice president for research, Jonathan Schanzer.

For more information: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/03/08/turkey-a-sanctuary-for-terrorist-entities-illicit-finance/