News analysis

Erdogan faces a testy summit with Trump in Washington

Sticking points include Turkey's purchase of Russian arms and US sanctions on Ankara

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives in Washington today for a summit with US President Donald Trump which could well prove crucial to the security of not only the Middle East, but also Europe. However, officials in both Washington and Ankara are bracing themselves for any eventuality.

On a personal level, the bonds between Mr Erdogan and Mr Trump remain strong, largely because the two share some key personal traits.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 13, 2019, with the headline Erdogan faces a testy summit with Trump in Washington. Subscribe