Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act

This bill would change which office at the State Department handles U.S. relations with Turkey. It would move Turkey from the European and Eurasian bureau to the Near Eastern bureau to better match Turkey’s role in the Middle East and its changing ties with Europe. The bill’s findings say Turkey has drawn closer to Russia and China, has tensions with Israel, and has provided support to Hamas, which shapes how the U.S. should engage with the country.

The Secretary of State would have 90 days after the law takes effect to make the switch. After five years, the Secretary must send Congress a report on how the change worked and any next steps. The bill also says the Secretary can still adjust or even end regional bureaus if needed to meet U.S. diplomatic goals.

• Who is affected: Department of State (moving Turkey from the European and Eurasian bureau to the Near Eastern bureau)
• What changes: Responsibility for Turkey shifts to the Near Eastern bureau; aims to align with Turkey’s regional role and recent trends noted in the findings
• When: Reassignment within 90 days of enactment; report due five years later