Panelists discuss Turkey’s evolving relations with NATO allies and Russia, its potential role in strengthening alliance unity, and the implications for future US-Turkey relations.
Panelists
Ambassador John R. Bass is a veteran diplomat and crisis manager with 37 years of diplomatic experience and service to the nation. Bass most recently served in three of the top five roles in the State Department, including as acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs (2024-25) and Under Secretary for Management (2022-25). A three-time Ambassador, Bass led US missions in Afghanistan (2017-2020), Turkey (2014-2017), and Georgia (2009-2012). He also served in US missions in Iraq, Italy, Belgium, and Chad. In Washington, Ambassador Bass served on Vice President Cheney’s staff, as Chief of Staff and advisor to Deputy Secretary Strobe Talbott, as Director of the Operations Center and in several assignments focused on European security issues.
General Philip M. Breedlove is a retired General of the United States Air Force. Highly decorated, he reached the pinnacle of the United States Military as one of six geographic Combatant Commanders and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. During 39 years of service, he held a variety of demanding command and staff positions: Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Commander of US European Command; Commander, US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa; Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force; and Assistant Chief of Staff for Air Operations, Plans and Requirements.
Dr. Gönül Tol (Moderator) is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI), where she focuses on Turkish politics, US-Turkey relations and regional dynamics in the Middle East.
Turkey caught in the vortex of a widening Iran war
What Ankara sees in Riyadh — and why it still needs Abu Dhabi
