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.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.