formally acknowledged the events as genocide on Saturday - a move that has generally been avoided out of concern about damaging relations with Turkey.RELATED: President Biden becomes first US president to formally recognize Armenian GenocideHere is background on the United States’ relationship with Turkey, and why Biden’s anticipated move could further complicate an already tense relationship with the country:AdvertisementThe U.S.
State Department describes Turkey as a key North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally and a critical regional partner, but their partnership predates the Republic of Turkey itself.America first established diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire in 1831.