Did Trump’s decision on Golan undercut Putin mediation on Syria?
Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he had a deal in Helsinki; Turkey rethinks Syria ties over Kurds.
![USA-ISRAEL/GOLAN A general view shows the town of Majdal Shams near the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1195E40A50](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2019/03/RTS2ETN3.jpg/RTS2ETN3.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=QIsbAQYx)
Putin thought he had a deal in Helsinki
“With the United States recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights,” writes Maxim Suchkov, “the ‘security buffer’ between Israeli and Syrian/Iranian forces that Moscow sought to establish may be put into question, raising risks for a direct collision of enemy forces.”