U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced concern on Friday regarding ongoing protests against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, calling the violence “disturbing” and confirming he discussed the situation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Rubio’s comments come amid escalating unrest following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s main political rival, on corruption charges widely viewed as politically motivated.
İmamoğlu, a member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained last week, prompting massive protests across Turkey’s largest cities. The CHP responded by formally nominating İmamoğlu for president, while thousands of Turkish secularists have taken to the streets, demanding his release and greater respect for the rule of law. Turkish authorities have arrested nearly 2,000 protesters, including international journalists.
Erdoğan dismissed the demonstrators as “terrorists” and accused them of attempting to destabilize Turkey. In response to international pressure, Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced Friday that several detained journalists had been released but defended the mass arrests, stating that legal proceedings must be allowed to unfold.
While Rubio stopped short of condemning Erdoğan outright, he acknowledged growing instability in Turkey and its potential implications for NATO. “We’ve expressed that we’re concerned,” Rubio said. “It’s an ally. It’s a partner in NATO. Anytime you have instability on the ground, you don’t like to see it.” He emphasized that the U.S. would initially address concerns privately, particularly as the Trump administration seeks to maintain diplomatic relations.
Other NATO allies have signaled unease over Erdoğan’s crackdown. Greece postponed a scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Erdoğan, citing concerns over Turkey’s political repression. The Council of Europe also condemned Turkey’s actions, calling for İmamoğlu’s release and an end to state violence against protesters. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Erdoğan’s policies, warning that Turkey must uphold democratic commitments if it seeks stronger ties with Europe.
Turkey’s domestic turmoil comes at a time when Erdoğan wields significant geopolitical influence. As a NATO member and a key mediator between Russia and Ukraine, Turkey plays a central role in global diplomacy. The Erdoğan regime has also deepened ties with China and leveraged its strategic location between Europe and Asia to bolster its regional power.
Despite mounting criticism, Erdoğan remained defiant, accusing Western nations of fueling “hate speech, racism, and fanaticism.” He defended his government’s actions, claiming Turkey promotes religious and cultural coexistence—despite ongoing persecution of Christians, Kurds, and opposition groups.
With tensions rising, Turkey’s internal crisis is drawing global attention, raising questions about the country’s political stability and its role within NATO.
