Turkish defense minister claims pivotal role in Syria
Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has gotten deeply involved in tactical and operational matters and anxiety is growing in the Turkish military and the ruling party that Akar is taking the reins in Syria.
Hulusi Akar has assumed the duties of defense minister, foreign minister, interior minister and intelligence chief in the process of setting up a safe zone along Syrian border with the cooperation of the United States. It did not escape notice that all the bargaining with the US officials for the safe zone was conducted not by the Turkish Foreign Ministry but by the Defense Ministry. The negotiations led by Akar resulted in a somewhat cryptic and open-ended road map.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu took a hawkish stance toward the United States, voicing harsh comments while Akar appeared to be trying to find a middle ground to continue negotiations. Some observers described the tactic as good cop-bad cop strategy. Regardless, if it had not been for Akar and his diplomatic skills, we wouldn’t be talking of cooperation with the United States east of the Euphrates River and for a safe zone.
On Aug. 16, Akar, Chief of General Staff Yasar Guler, Army commander Gen. Umit Dundar, Air Force commander Gen. Hasan Kucukakyuz, Navy commander Admiral Adnan Ozbal and Turkey’s spy chief Hakan Fidan visited the command center where Turkey runs its military operations in northern Syria. They inspected the units, ate lunch with troops and were briefed about the latest progress in safe zone efforts in coordination with the United States. Akar obviously wanted to be seen inspecting all the units one by one.
It's unusual for a defense minister, who should be more focused on strategic and political affairs, to be so involved in tactical and operational matters. Akar clearly wants to be assured that Turkey is prepared for its role in setting up and managing the joint safe zone with the United States.
