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Tulsi Gabbard on Turkey’s Erdogan – “He is One of the Most Dangerous Dictators in the World”
Edited by: Fern Sidman
The recent appointment of former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration has sparked discussions regarding the future of U.S.-Turkey relations. Gabbard, known for her outspoken criticism of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has consistently highlighted concerns over Erdoğan’s policies and actions, particularly in relation to ISIS and the Kurdish population, as was reported on Friday on the medyanews.net web site.
Erdogan has been helping ISIS/AQ for years. He has denied this but is now openly using militias of “former” ISIS/AQ terrorists, exposing him for what he really is: a radical Islamist megalomaniac who wants to establish a caliphate with himself as the Caliph — the supreme ruler. pic.twitter.com/AQ5zb6Hp08
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) October 30, 2019
In a 2020 video, Gabbard unequivocally stated, “Erdoğan is not our friend,” reflecting her skepticism towards Turkey’s role in regional conflicts. Her military background, having served in the U.S. Army during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has informed her perspectives on counterterrorism and foreign policy. According to the medyanews.net report, Gabbard has accused Erdoğan of supporting ISIS, asserting that he is a “radical Islamist megalomaniac who wants to be the Caliph.”
Gabbard’s criticism extends to Turkey’s military actions in northern Syria. As per the information provided in the medyanews.net report, she condemned President Trump’s decision to permit Turkey’s 2019 invasion into the region, describing it as “laying out a red carpet, a green light for Erdoğan and Turkey to launch an ethnic cleansing and offensive against the Kurds.” She further accused Trump of deceiving the American public, emphasizing the necessity to protect Kurdish allies from what she termed Turkish genocide.
Erdogan is so accustomed to beating up protestors in Turkey, evidently he thinks he can get away with such tactics here too. Outrageous. pic.twitter.com/rXCM2ZOtjE
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) May 18, 2017
Elham Ahmad, Co-chair of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, welcomed Gabbard’s appointment, highlighting her commitment to Kurdish issues, the report at medyanews.net indicated. Ahmad’s endorsement calls attention to the significance of Gabbard’s stance on Kurdish autonomy and protection.
Gabbard’s political journey has been marked by her departure from the Democratic Party and subsequent alignment with the Republican Party in 2024, prior to Trump’s election victory. This shift raises questions about whether she will maintain her critical position on Erdoğan and advocacy for Kurdish rights within the new administration.
“Turkey’s Erdogan is not our friend 🇺🇸
He’s one of the most dangerous dictators in the world and the #US government and media have no business helping this Islamist megalomaniac” @TulsiGabbard
Tulsi Gabbard the nominated Director of National Intelligence by @realDonaldTrump… https://t.co/p38jxLqoNQ pic.twitter.com/PtKCX1DMCH
— Marios Karatzias (@MariosKaratzias) November 17, 2024
Her foreign policy approach has not been without controversy. The medyanews.net report noted that Gabbard faced criticism for meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, despite allegations of his regime’s war crimes. In response, she acknowledged Assad as a “brutal dictator, just like Saddam Hussein,” defending her decision as a means to pursue peace through dialogue.
As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard’s previous statements and positions suggest a potential reevaluation of U.S. policy towards Turkey. Her appointment may influence the administration’s approach to Erdoğan’s government, particularly concerning issues of human rights, support for extremist groups, and the treatment of Kurdish populations.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey has been vocal in his criticism of both Israel and the United States. He has labeled Israel a “terrorist state” and accused it of committing genocide against Palestinians. In 2017, Erdoğan warned then-President Donald Trump against recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, stating, “Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims.” He has also accused the U.S. of supporting terrorist organizations, particularly in relation to American support for Kurdish groups in Syria.
Under Erdoğan’s leadership, Turkey has faced significant criticism for its treatment of journalists and suppression of press freedom. Following the failed coup attempt in 2016, the Turkish government shut down numerous media outlets and arrested journalists accused of supporting terrorism. According to Reporters Without Borders, Turkey has become one of the world’s leading jailers of journalists, with many facing charges related to their reporting on sensitive issues. This crackdown has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions and freedom of expression in the country.
