Emphasis on 'Strategic Unity' and 'Stability in the Region' in Erdogan-Trump Phone Conversation

The Presidents of Turkey and the United States, shortly after the issuance of an indictment by the U.S. Attorney's Office against former officials of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government and Erdogan's criticism of it, held a phone conversation emphasizing strategic unity and assistance in establishing stability in the region. According to the Turkish state news agency, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Donald Trump agreed to hold a private meeting during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York. The U.S. and Turkish Presidents had met and discussed in person last May; the recent phone conversation comes just days after the U.S. Attorney's Office issued an indictment against senior former officials in Erdogan's government. On September 6, the U.S. Attorney's Office issued an indictment related to alleged covert assistance to the Iranian government to circumvent sanctions against several senior former Turkish officials, including the former Minister of Economy and the former head of the state bank 'Halk.' Erdogan, in response to the formal accusations, described their purpose as 'political' and stated that the U.S. should reconsider this matter. The new indictment is part of the case against Reza Zarrab, an Iranian-Turkish businessman who was arrested last year and is currently awaiting the start of his trial. The accusations against Turkish officials and Erdogan's repeated criticisms regarding the Zarrab case are not the only points of contention between the two countries; the differing approaches of Ankara and Washington regarding U.S. support for Syrian Kurdish militants in the 'People's Protection Units' is also a clear point of disagreement. Turkey considers this group 'terrorist.' The United States has continued to equip and support Kurdish militants in one of the most important battles in Syria to liberate the main city from ISIS control. In a statement released by the Turkish Presidency regarding the recent phone call between Erdogan and Trump, it was noted that both sides 'discussed the importance of continuing cooperation to further strengthen relations and increase stability in the region, emphasizing the strategic relationship between Turkey and the United States.' Another issue that has received significant attention in recent weeks is the clashes in Washington during Erdogan's previous visit. The U.S. Attorney's Office issued an indictment in the first week of September against 15 of Erdogan's bodyguards who were accompanying him during that trip. During Erdogan's visit to the U.S. last May, a clash occurred outside the Turkish embassy in Washington, resulting in 11 injuries, with Erdogan's security personnel accused of attacking protesters, and Washington police describing it as 'a violent attack on a peaceful protest.' The Turkish embassy has identified the 'Kurdistan Workers' Party' as responsible for the violence and clashes. Last Friday, senior officials from both the Republican and Democratic parties in the House Foreign Affairs Committee sent a letter to their Secretary of State urging a 'warning' to the Turkish President regarding any potential clashes and violence during his trip to New York.