While overshadowed by the debate about Russia and Ukraine, what to do about Turkey is as consequential a foreign policy fault line among Republicans today. At its root is how to assess the Middle Eastern country: Is it a partner for peace in the region or a terrorist sponsor that will set it alight?

President Donald Trump, or at least Don Jr., is in the former camp. Both appear partial to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Trump admires Erdoğan’s strongman rule. He also knows Erdoğan as a businessman willing to deal in a transactional way. Trump believes self-interest motivates the Turkish dictator but does not care: Erdoğan has told Trump he can guarantee stability in a troubled region for a price. If Trump sacrifices the alliance with the Syrian Kurds who helped the United States defeat the Islamic State and does not interfere as Turkey seeks to transform the Middle East in its image, Erdoğan promises not only that the region will no longer suck up U.S. resources, but also deliver on Russia-Ukraine peace and even bring Iran to the table for the deal of the century.