https://crsreports.congress.gov
Updated January 12, 2023
Turkey (Türkiye)-U.S. Relations: Timeline and Brief Historical
Context
This timeline tracks major developments from the
beginning of close U.S.-Turkey (Türkiye) ties after World
War II to the present. The information provides context for
lawmakers assessing the tenor and trajectory of current
bilateral relations on issues ranging from general strategic
cooperation to timely regional concerns and domestic
Turkish politics.
Early Cold War Partners (1945-1962)
Soviet pressure on the Turkish government to allow free
passage through the Turkish straits (the Bosphorus and
Dardanelles) and its territorial claims in eastern Anatolia
threatened to precipitate hostilities between the two states,
whose predecessors (the Russian and Ottoman Empires)
had fought 12 wars over the preceding four centuries.
Turkey turned to the United States for support. Mutual
opposition to Soviet expansion would underpin Turkey-
U.S. ties in the coming decades.
Turkey declares war on Germany and Japan in
February; becomes founding member of the
United Nations
In response to Soviet demands on Turkey for
shared administration of the straits, the United
States counters Soviet pressure by sending
ships to Turkish waters
Congress designates Turkey (along with
Greece) a special recipient of anti-Soviet aid
under the Truman Doctrine
Turkish troops join U.S.-U.N. forces in the
Korean War
Turkey becomes a member of NATO
U.S. and Turkey agree to joint use of what
becomes Incirlik Air Base; U.S. and Turkey
sign first status of forces agreement
First military coup in Turkey; civilian rule
returns with elections in 1961
Resolution of Cuban Missile Crisis includes
U.S. agreement to remove nuclear-armed
Jupiter missiles (judged by the U.S. to be
obsolete) from Turkey
Allies amid Challenges (1963-1978)
U.S.-Turkey relations were particularly challenged by
Turkey’s frequent clashes with fellow NATO member
Greece over the ethnically divided island of Cyprus. Anti-
Americanism grew as Turks increasingly debated the
benefits and drawbacks of the bilateral relationship.
Letter from President Lyndon Johnson to
Turkish Prime Minister Ismet Inonu
communicates U.S. opposition to Turkish
intervention in Cyprus after ethnic Greek-
Turkish power sharing breaks down
Turkey’s second military coup occurs with
the government’s resignation amid increasing
street violence; elections resume in 1973
Turkey, using U.S.-supplied equipment, occupies
the northern third of the island of Cyprus (an
occupation that has continued to the present)
on behalf of Turkish Cypriot minority, following
a coup that installed a more pro-Greek
government on the island
Congress freezes aid and imposes arms
embargo on Turkey for its actions in Cyprus
Turkey abrogates U.S. status of forces
agreement; takes control of U.S. installations;
U.S. forces performing NATO functions remain
After intense lobbying by multiple presidential
administrations and several votes to partially lift
the embargo, Congress fully repeals it
Renewed Military Cooperation
(1980-1991)
The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and Iran’s Islamic
Revolution heightened the strategic importance of the
Turkey-U.S. relationship for American interests in the
broader Middle East.
United States and Turkey sign Defense and
Economic Cooperation Agreement
Turkey’s third coup in response to social and
political turmoil; elections resume in 1983
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) begins
significant operations in its armed insurgency in
southeastern Turkey
Turkey allows the use of its airspace and bases
for U.S. and coalition aircraft participating in
Gulf War and for the postwar patrolling of
northern Iraq
Reassessment (1991-2002)
Turkey’s relative importance for U.S. policymakers
declined in the immediate aftermath of the Gulf War and
the collapse of the Soviet Union, but focus remained on a
number of regional developments involving Turkey.
