Friday, October 18, 2013

Blog 6: Erdogan, Syrian Rebels' Leading Ally, Hesitates

Summary:  Since the beginning of the civil war in Syria, Turkey has been a leading ally for the Syrian rebels.  Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has kept the border between Turkey and Syria open for rebels to keep weapons, cash and other supplies to send to the battlefield.  He has long fought for Syria's president Assad to step down, but with the shift in the global policy towards the war in Syria, Erdogan has found himself in an awkward position.  Turkey relied on the United States and other western nations for military action and support against Assad.  Now that the United Nations is purging Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, Turkish authorities are not sure whether to continue supporting their original policy or to support the policy to end an era of chemical weapons use in Syria.

Analysis:  Erodgan denies supporting the rebels but admits to leaving the border between Syria and Turkey open, without police enforcement.  He did rely on the support of the United States for his fight for Assad's resignation.  When Obama backed out of the military strike on Syria, Erodgan was angry that the global plan had shifted from imminent military action to diplomacy.  Erodgan is now unsure of whether to back plans to end the chemical weapons program or continue supporting the rebel forces.

Eva Holland
Oct. 18, 2013
9:21 pm

No comments: