Intel: How Turkey sanctions relief risks leaving remaining US prisoners out to dry
After securing Turkey’s release last month of a detained US pastor, the Donald Trump administration is lifting sanctions on two Turkish ministers. But the sanctions relief could disincentivize Ankara from releasing several other American prisoners and Turks locally employed by US consular facilities. In return, Turkey has also removed sanctions it placed on US officials in retaliation.
Why it matters: In August, Trump sanctioned Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu over the detention of Andrew Brunson, a cause celebre among Trump’s evangelical base. Ankara was likely expecting today’s action as Trump had expressly tied the sanctions exclusively to Brunson and not the other prisoners. Their removal now gives the US less leverage in securing the other prisoners’ release.
