WASHINGTON DC – Amid the Israel-Gaza and Russia-Ukraine wars, US policymakers and commentators have less bandwidth for developments in Turkey. Still, the general consensus in Washington DC suggests the March 31 local elections have made Turkish politics “interesting again”.
Following sweeping gains by the Republican People’s Party (CHP), many US officials are asking what differentiates the opposition party from Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) in both domestic politics and foreign policy.
Often answering those questions is Yurter Özcan, CHP representative to the US.
Turkey recap met with Özcan Monday to discuss the CHP’s post-election outlook, foreign policy and its stance on regional developments like the Ukraine and Israel wars.
“Look, the position that the Turkish government has taken since October 7 … it will hurt Turkey more than I think AKP realizes in Washington DC,” Özcan told Turkey recap.
What follows is a condensed interview.
