Turkey's spate of arresting U.S. citizens is nothing more than a hostage situation, an effort that is fueling the country's descent into an "outlaw state" and one that requires a tough response from President Donald Trump, The Washington Post wrote in its editorial.

Since the U.S. has thus far refused the whims of Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan by extraditing Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, the country has turned up the heat by seizing a dozen Americans the past year, the Post writes.

Further, with Erdogan's security goons attacking peaceful protesters in D.C. a few months ago, it would seem Turkey thinks it can bully the U.S. with impunity.

Trump needs to put an end to that.

"There's no question, however, that the Trump administration, which has persisted in describing Mr. Erdogan as a close ally, must now stand up to his bullying. The Turkish ruler appears to believe he can persecute Americans with impunity," the Post wrote.

"The long-standing U.S. alliance with Turkey should be preserved, to the extent that is possible with Mr. Erdogan in power. But that cannot come at the expense of tolerating hostage-taking and assaults on the U.S. rule of law. Mr. Erdogan should be made to understand that he is risking a rupture of relations that will do far more harm to his regime than to the United States," the Post concluded.

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