Building Common Ground: U.S.–Turkey Cooperation in a Changing World - Richard Outzen
Türkiye–U.S. relations remain long-standing, valuable, and often complex. Different political cultures and geographies shape the partnership, yet shared interests continue to anchor it. Richard Outzen notes that the United States, protected by oceans, differs sharply from Türkiye, which sits at a strategic crossroads linking Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Despite occasional tensions, both nations align on key goals—defense through NATO, regional stability, open trade, and resistance to revisionist powers. Türkiye’s large military, growing defense industry, and G20 economy make it an essential ally that requires steady, thoughtful engagement and stronger U.S.-Turkey cooperation.
Outzen argues that revitalizing ties depends on more than government policy. Stronger connections between people, businesses, and institutions can rebuild trust and deepen U.S.-Turkey cooperation. Private companies, civil society groups, universities, and think tanks can take the lead in renewing dialogue. Leaders can set the conditions for engagement, but sustained growth must come from direct collaboration between both societies and their economic and cultural sectors.
The defense sector highlights how this cooperation can evolve. Instead of one-way weapons sales, the focus is shifting toward joint production and shared value chains. Outzen outlines three approaches: joint ventures and acquisitions that blend Turkish and American ownership; subsidiaries in each other’s markets that build jobs and congressional support; and partnerships in third-country markets that combine complementary strengths. Together, these efforts can link the two defense industries and strengthen supply chain resilience on both sides.
Speaker Biography
Richard Outzen is a geopolitical analyst and consultant who advises private sector clients and serves as a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. A retired U.S. Army colonel with 30 years of service, he completed tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Türkiye, Israel, and Germany. He has taught at the National Defense University and held policy advisory roles at the State Department’s Policy Planning Office and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. His research and publications focus on policy and strategy in the greater Middle East and Central Asia.
