The Pentagon has continued its outreach to the Turkish government and its condemnation of the recent coup attempt in that country, with the department hosting a meeting with Turkish officials. Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Brian McKeon on Thursday met with four members of the Turkish Parliament, which represented three political parties. McKeon, during the meeting “reiterated the United States’ condemnation of the failed coup” and conveyed strong US support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pentagon spokesman Gordon Trowbridge said in a statement. The meeting came days after Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited with Turkish military officials during a visit to Incirlik AB, Turkey, to condemn the coup.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.