Turkey–United States relations

Turkey and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1927. After World War II, relations evolved from the Second Cairo Conference in December 1943 and Turkey's entry into World War II on the side of the Allies in February 1945. Later that year, Turkey became a charter member of the United Nations. Since 1945, both countries have strengthened ties under the liberal international order advanced by the U.S., a set of global, rule-based, structured relationships grounded in political and economic liberalism. As a consequence, bilateral relations have advanced under the G20, OECD, Council of Europe, OSCE, WTO, IMF, the World Bank, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, and NATO.

During the interwar period (1918–1939), Turkey and the United States laid the groundwork for cooperation without a defined strategic interest. The U.S. sent a Congressional delegation to emphasize trade and business, along with non-missionary philanthropy and other cultural enterprises, such as archaeological expeditions sponsored by American universities.

During World War II (1939–1945), oil was set to become increasingly important to American interests. President Roosevelt had a geo-strategic plan in mind at the Anglo-American Petroleum Agreement in 1944. His successor, President Truman stressed the importance of Turkey's geo-strategic location and its "proximity to the great natural resources". In the following decades, as the United States has been engaged in oil wars in the Middle East, Turkey has supported the U.S. in some capacity, directly or indirectly, by giving authorization for the use of the Incirlik Air Base.