"President Donald Trump’s desire to get the U.S. out of Middle East wars is creating a mess that could reverberate long after America departs.
His decision to give Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the green light to cross the border into Syria in an operation against the Kurds, the U.S.’s erstwhile allies in the fight against Islamic State, has sparked an alliance shift.
The Kurds say they’ve now enlisted help from
former foe Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who’s supported by Russia. Turkish and Syrian troops could end up in close proximity as a result.
former foe Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who’s supported by Russia. Turkish and Syrian troops could end up in close proximity as a result.
Trump’s withdrawal of all U.S. troops from northern Syria prompted fresh criticism from lawmakers, including fellow Republicans, who return to Washington today after a two-week break ready to pursue penalties against Turkey. Critics accuse Trump of selling out the Kurds and abdicating America’s responsibilities in the region.
Having enabled Erdogan’s initial move, Trump now says he’s ready to impose “powerful” sanctions
if Turkey does anything in Syria the U.S. considers off limits.
if Turkey does anything in Syria the U.S. considers off limits.
Penalties though may not stop Erdogan, who has vowed to push the Kurds back from his border. That raises the chance of a broader clash as Assad’s troops move
toward the area. Yet Damascus, with its forces fatigued by an eight-year civil war, probably doesn’t have the wherewithal to take on the Turks without Moscow’s help.
toward the area. Yet Damascus, with its forces fatigued by an eight-year civil war, probably doesn’t have the wherewithal to take on the Turks without Moscow’s help.
How all this plays out depends largely on Turkey and Russia. Washington is now a bystander.
— Karl Maier, Bloomberg Business News
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