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The Takeaway: Irreconcilable differences between NATO allies? Turkey targets US-backed Kurds in Syria

Also, Biden adviser criticizes Trump policy on Iran, but says sanctions “very effective”; Expat labor is biggest loser in Saudi cutbacks; Egyptian actor speaks up about transgender son; more!

CEYLANPINAR, TURKEY - OCTOBER 18: A Turkish army tank moves towards the Syrian border on October 18, 2019 in Ceylanpinar, Turkey. Turkish forces appeared to continue shelling targets in Northern Syria despite yesterday's announcement, by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, that Turkey had agreed to a ceasefire in its assault on Kurdish-held towns near its border. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
A Turkish army tank moves towards the Syrian border on October 18, 2019 in Ceylanpinar, Turkey — Burak Kara/Getty Images
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Four things (Turkey-Syria; Biden-Iran; Transgender in Egypt; Saudi economy)
 
 
 

1. Turkey: Erdogan’s occupation policies may reveal limits of US-Turkish cooperation in Syria

 

The US may be reaching a cul-de-sac in seeking to realign its policies with Turkey in Syria. The obstacle is the same as it ever was: seemingly irreconcilable differences over the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Turkey considers the YPG a “terrorist” group linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK); the US values the YPG as the core of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a tried and true partner in defeating Islamic State in Syria.

 

Background: In October 2019, Turkish forces and Turkish-backed Syrian armed groups invaded and occupied Syrian border towns in northeast Syria, a military operation rather ironically called Peace Spring to end the “terrorist” threat from the YPG and provide a safe or security zone to resettle as many as 2 million of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees residing in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent his troops in after a call with US President Donald Trump. In December, the Syrian military launched its own offensive in Idlib province in northwest Syria, in the process killing Turkish troops serving at outposts established there as part of the US-Russia “deconfliction” agreement signed in 2018. The result was Turkey had a two-front conflict in Syria, and no exit strategy.

 

Three bad-to-worse trends in Turkey’s occupation: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, perhaps benefiting in part from the cover of the COVID-19 pandemic, is pursuing policies in Syria that are only serving to complicate US efforts to get US-Turkey relations realigned:

 

Population transfers: “Erdogan makes no secret of his intention to uproot Kurdish self-rule in northern Syria and change the demographic character of the region,” reports Fehim Tastekin. “Turkey has transferred hundreds of people to the northeastern Syrian town of Tell Abyad from the Turkish-controlled Operation Euphrates Shield region, stunning many families displaced from the town that have been hoping to return to their villages in the area, which fell under Turkish control during a military operation in November 2019. A new round of population transfers is reportedly underway.”

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