A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has introduced legislation aimed at redesignating Turkey as a Near Eastern country at the U.S. State Department instead of a European nation. This move comes in response to Turkey’s growing diplomatic and economic ties with Russia, China, Iran, and Hamas, which are seen as opposing Western security interests. The Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act, led by Reps. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), seeks to shift Turkey’s designation from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. The lawmakers argue that Turkey’s actions, including harboring Hamas operatives and obstructing NATO unity, warrant a reevaluation of its status as a Western ally. The Turkish embassy in Washington has criticized the move, emphasizing Turkey’s historical and geostrategic identity as part of Europe and its commitment to European institutions and values. The proposed legislation requires the State Department to reassess Turkey’s diplomatic status within 90 days and conduct a five-year review on the implications of Turkey’s realignment.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/bipartisan-legislation-seeks-reign-in-erdogans-turkey-over-ties-to-us-foes