The core of the U.S.-Turkey relationship has been Turkey’s participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the bedrock security structure upon which the United States and Europe have depended for almost 70 years. As President Trump highlighted during his campaign and in the first months of his presidency, many NATO members only nominally contribute to the organization and few meet their commitments. Historically, Turkey has been different. Turkey has the second-largest army in NATO, and has more men under arms or in the reserves than France, the United Kingdom, and Germany combined.

Alas, after 15 years of Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Turkey’s helm, the Turkish army has changed radically. Almost every officer up to lieutenant colonel arose under the Islamist leader. In addition, Erdogan’s manipulation of promotions with fake plots — Ergenekon, Balyoz, and perhaps even the 2016 abortive coup — allowed him to replace the top brass. Turkey’s top generals today are loyal to Erdogan first, and Turkey a distant second.