Turkey-U.S. Accord on Islamic State Sought as Ties Are Strained

Retired Marine General John Allen, the U.S. envoy to allies fighting Islamic State extremists, is due in Turkey today and tomorrow in an effort to resolve tensions over that nation’s role in the effort.

Allen will be negotiating at a difficult time when ties between the two nations are strained by President Barack Obama’s Syria policy, tense Turkish relations with Israel and mutual disappointment that the “model partnership” Obama sought with Turkey five years ago hasn’t materialized.