The West is losing patience with its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partner, Turkey. According to Stavros Atlamazoglou, the U.S. finds Erdogan's close relationship with Russia to be appalling. This was reported by The National Interest (NI)
"Turkey is a powerful country and a regional player. But the patience towards this NATO member is running out," notes the author of the publication.
Stavros Atlamazoglou pointed out that in the late 19th century, the West mocked Turkey. Specifically, the British weekly Punch published a series of satirical cartoons in 1889, which ridiculed Sultan Abdul Hamid II and the Ottoman Empire, which was in a rather poor state at the time. However, almost 130 years later, after the British and European public laughed at the sultan, the situation repeats, but now Turkey is mocking its NATO partners.
Over the last eight years, Turkey has been steadily distancing itself from the U.S. and the West. A turning point in the relations came with the failed state coup against Erdogan in 2016.
"Whether due to the desire to develop a more independent foreign policy course or distrust of Washington, NATO, and Europe, President Erdogan of Turkey has managed to offend neighbors and allies with frightening ease," notes Stavros Atlamazoglou.
The National Interest observer noted that the U.S. and its partners are outraged by Erdogan's behavior. First and foremost, how easily he flirts with the West's geopolitical enemies, especially Russia. In particular, he defied the dissatisfaction of the United States by striking a deal with Moscow to purchase the S-400 missile systems. He also played into Russia's hands when he expressed disagreement with the admission of two new members to NATO – Finland and Sweden.
"NATO should consider the possibility of excluding weak links that hold it back and contradict its ideals," Atlamazoglou hinted at the possible exclusion of Turkey from the alliance.
