U.S Secretary Of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today, in the wake of Middle East tensions escalating. Blinken is now continuing his diplomatic tour of the region as he looks to help reframe the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The meeting was held over telephone communication, which was confirmed publically by a US State Department senior official. It’s been reported that one of Blinken’s plans is to engage with Turkey and attempt to develop a sustainable peace process between Palestine and Israel. During the call, the pair discussed bilateral relations between the countries, including the topics of Syria, human rights, and energy resources. There has been a slow buildup of international disputes between the countries, particularly concerning Turkish military action in northern Syria. However, it has been speculated that the conversation between Blinken and Erdogan also included details on “shared interests” in Israel and Palestine. As part of the Biden administration, Blinken has voiced a more technical approach to the issue than that of the previous administration. This meeting comes at a crucial time, with violence in the Gaza Strip increasing. An Israeli airstrike struck a home in Khan Yunis earlier this week, killing 10 civilians. Turkey and Arab states have urged Israel to end their military campaign in Palestine. In response, Blinken is now on a diplomatic mission to reduce tensions between Israel and Palestine. He is currently leading a delegation to Europe, where he is expected to meet with foreign ministers from the EU and the UK. US diplomats are also trying to formulate a more cohesive strategy and foster greater stability in the region. The meeting between Blinken and Erdogan today is part of a bigger effort to show US commitment to establishing a more peaceful resolution in the Middle East. It demonstrates that the Biden administration is taking a strong stance against violence and discord in the region. It’s too early to know exactly how the talks between Blinken and Erdogan will resolve, but the US State Department is optimistic that tensions can be eased. Their goal is to mediate the conflict and create a lasting, successful peace process.