For many years, the phrase “The road to Washington goes through Jerusalem” has been commonly used by people around the world. Today, this saying is being reimagined as leaders from various countries navigate complex relationships to advance their interests.
Turkey was the first Muslim country to recognize Israel in 1949, with a goal of strengthening ties with Washington and eventually joining the NATO alliance in 1952. This move was driven by fear of Soviet expansion after World War II rather than support for Zionism. However, today, traditional alliances are shifting as leaders seek new opportunities to position themselves on the world stage.
One such leader is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has found common ground with US President Joe Biden based on mutual opportunism. Erdogan’s approval was needed for Sweden to join NATO and for Turkey to upgrade its air force, solidifying their relationship. As a result of this partnership, reports suggest that Erdogan may visit the White House on May 9th, marking his first visit since Biden took office.
However, this unexpected closeness between the two leaders is driven by more than just diplomacy – it’s also about supply and demand for artillery shells like the 155mm diameter shells used by NATO countries like Israel. With tensions escalating in Ukraine and global conflicts continuing to threaten stability around the world, there’s an increasing demand for these shells – which has led to shortages in supply. The US and EU are working tirelessly to increase production rates to meet demand – but Turkey is expected to play a significant role in the supply chain too, potentially becoming the top supplier of shells to the US.
Erdogan’s strategic maneuvers in times of conflict demonstrate his complex diplomatic approach – selling drones to Ukraine while receiving S-400 batteries from Russia shows how he navigates competing interests with skillful precision. By aligning with the US on artillery production, Erdogan is positioning Turkey as a key player on the world stage – one that can capitalize on new opportunities as global politics continues to shift and evolve.
In conclusion, traditional alliances are shifting as leaders seek new opportunities