Manbij holds the key to improved Turkish-US ties
Ankara is worried the United States and Russia may be working on a deal in Syria that will be to Turkey's disadvantage.
Although attention in Turkey turned to domestic politics in the lead-up to the June 24 presidential and parliamentary elections, Ankara’s focus will be back on Turkish-US ties now that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been sworn in as Turkey’s first all-powerful executive president and announced his new Cabinet.
Developments in northern Syria, particularly in the city of Manbij, will continue to determine the course of these relations, which are already beset by many disagreements.
There are also disturbing signs for Ankara following US media reports that Washington and Moscow may be working behind the scenes for an end to the Syrian crisis that may not be in Turkey’s interests.
Turkish officials will be closely following the results of the summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on July 16.
