Editor's note: Hisham AbuBakr Metwally is the First Economist Researcher at the Central Department for Export & Import Policy under the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Industry. The article reflects the author's views, and not necessarily those of CGTN.
Relations between Ankara and Washington have improved since the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at a press conference in Ankara that the US sanctions on Ankara might be lifted. This came after pastor Andrew Brunson was released on October 12.
So, what's happened that has helped reduce the tension between Trump and Erdogan?
On October 2, a Saudi journalist went to his country's consulate in Istanbul to obtain a marriage document, but has since disappeared. After his fiancée who had been waiting for him outside the consulate, reported him missing, Turkish authorities contacted the Saudi Consulate, which denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's disappearance.
Turkish authorities opened an investigation into the matter and asked the Saudi authorities to inspect the premises following reports that the Saudi journalist had been inside the consulate. At the same time, they shared information with the US administration and requested assistance from the latter.
Media members are seen outside the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia as the waiting continues on the disappearance of Prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in Istanbul, Turkey on October 18, 2018. /VCG Photo
Unconfirmed reports say Turkey has audio and video recordings of the killing of the Saudi journalist. The reports suggest that he has been tortured and killed by 15 Saudis who came to Turkey the same day as he disappeared and were present at the consulate when the journalist was there and then left on the same day.
The US administration was quick to welcome Turkey's cooperation and pressured Saudi authorities to cooperate in the investigation as well.
The cooperation between the US and Turkey has created good opportunities for the two sides to discuss pastor Brunson's case which resulted in his later release.
America's perspective
The US administration found an opportunity to take a step back in its dispute with Turkey for many reasons.
- Turkey is US' ally in the region; at the same time it is a NATO member and hosts Incirlik Air Base which is important for operations in the Middle East area.
- The conflicts with Turkey have left some European allies feeling uneasy, especially Germany.
- Turkey plays an important role in the Syrian crisis.
On the other hand, the US administration considered this as an opportunity to put more pressure on the Saudi administration to obtain more funds in the future and ensure the commitment of Saudi Arabia to reduce oil prices.
Turkey's perspective
Turkish leadership does not want to directly clash with Saudi Arabia, as Saudi is an important country in the Gulf region and the Middle East. The country also has strong trade ties with Turkey.
At the same time, Turkey considers the Saudi journalist's disappearance a threat to Turkey's security image.
Turkey hopes to restore normal relations with the United States to achieve economic and financial stability which was threatened by Trump sanctions.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to reporters while his plane refuels in Brussels, Belgium, October 17, 2018. /VCG Photo
Saudi's perspective
Saudi Arabia, in an awkward position, and likely did not expect the disappearance of a Saudi journalist would cause such a fuss.
Initially, Saudi Arabia has a strained relationship with Turkey as supported some of the country's opponents, especially the Muslim Brotherhood.
Then Saudi Arabia came under attack from the international media outlets, especially the Washington Post where Khashoggi worked as a columnist and criticized Saudi leadership.
Jeremy Corbyn, the opposition Leader in the UK, called for an immediate suspension of arms trade with the Saudi kingdom. He also asked for an international investigation into the events in Turkey, describing it as an "abominable tragedy."
Christine Lagarde, the International Monetary Fund Managing Director, postponed her upcoming trip to the Middle East, which originally included a stop in Riyadh, for a conference known as "Davos in the Desert."
Several US congressmen have demanded strong sanctions against Saudi Arabia as they believe the Saudi's involvement in the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi is clear.
Meanwhile, the Saudi administration denied any involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance and expressed its willingness to cooperate in the investigation, which resulted in the dispatch of a Saudi security delegation to Turkey to participate in the inspection of the Saudi consulate and investigations.
Pompeo said President Trump called the crown prince and the king's son conveyed that a serious and credible investigation is already underway.
After Pompeo visited Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the results of this visit are not yet clear.
The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi will remain a problem for Saudi Arabia, where it has "tarnished" the image of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and forward state.
It is clear that the United States and Ankara have benefited from the disappearance of the Saudi journalist while Saudi Arabia's image has been badly damaged.
In the end I hope that Saudi Arabia was not involved in the disappearance of the Saudi journalist and that the truth will eventually be revealed.
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