U.S. and Turkey meet to expand counter-terrorism partnership

Last week DHS secretary Janet Napolitano met with Turkey’s state minister Hayat Yazici to strengthen ties between the two countries and increase coordination to combat terrorism.

According to a readout of the meeting, Napolitano underscored the importance of the U.S.–Turkey alliance and the commitment of the United States to its ally.

Turkey is a critical ally in the Middle East and has worked closely with the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan. Relations have become strained, however, as Turkey has become closer to Iran and Syria while becoming increasingly confrontational with Israel.

Turkey remains an important ally in global counter-terrorism efforts, despite increasing tensions.

Last month, Turkey arrested a Saudi terrorism suspect who was on the Saudi Interior Ministry’s list of eight five most wanted terrorists.

During the meeting, Napolitano discussed efforts to protect the global supply chain and increase international coordination.

Turkey has worked closely with the United States on Project Global Shield, an international effort led by DHS, Interpol, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to interdict shipments of dangerous chemicals used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

So far more than sixty countries have signed on to the program to share information to ensure that the chemicals are being used safely and properly. The information has led to promising investigative leads on smuggling rings sending these chemicals to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Napolitano has recently met with several European allies to discuss efforts to prevent terrorists from using the global supply chain to procure materials, protect critical elements of the supply chain system, and the development of contingency plans in the event of an attack on critical transportation hubs.

Last month, Napolitano travelled to Brussels and launched a new partnership between DHS and WCO to enlist more countries, international organization, and businesses to help secure the global supply chain. She also travelled to London and met with her U.K. counterpart as well as the head of the International Maritime Organization to discuss these matters.

Turkey is grappling with domestic terrorism from several extremist groups that include Marxist-Leninist, Islamic extremists, and pro-Chechen organizations.

Last year a suicide bomber killed fifteen people and injured at least thirty-two in Istanbul.