The Future of US-Turkey Relations

President Barack Obama's first official trip overseas was not to China, the UK, or Africa, but to Turkey. This country, which sits at the crossroads of East and West, has become a focal point of international interest. Turkey is seen by some as the key to engagement with the Muslim world; others claim that reinvigorating Turkey’s relationship with the US is essential to our own national security. Today we will be talking with David Saltzman who is a practicing attorney and is head Counsel for the Turkish Coalition of America. In his practice David is involved in public international law, private international corporate and commercial law, and, for the Turkish American Legal Defense Fund, civil liberties litigation. He received his Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee University School of Law in 1991. David conducted his Bachelor¹s studies at the College of William & Mary in Virginia and the Université Paul Valéry in Montpellier, France. David has traveled extensively in Turkey and other European countries and has authored several academic papers and media articles concerning trade and non-trade issues that effect U.S.-Turkish relations. He has spoken before large audiences on international affairs issues on numerous occasions and has lectured at the Smithsonian Institution regarding the illicit trade in Turkish cultural property.