If the Paris massacre had not occurred on the eve of the G-20 summit in Turkey, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) would have used the summit as an anti-Democratic Union Party (PYD) lobby instead of focusing on the Islamic State (IS). Although the IS attacks in Paris have spoiled Turkey’s intended approach, Turkey will not give up its efforts to form an anti-PYD/YPG (People's Protection Units) front and will employ multifaceted moves. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s declaration immediately after the Paris massacre signaled that intention when he said, “We have to abandon the rationale of my terrorist is good, your terrorist is bad.”
The AKP, which emerged from the Nov. 1 elections with a victory even it did not expect, has been increasing pressure on its opposition, especially the Kurdish movement, and is now pursuing stepped-up efforts to assume a decisive role in Syria. By stating that the democratic autonomy system at Rojava carries risks for Turkey, Erdogan and the AKP are trying to obtain the support of the United States and the international coalition.
