{"id":824407,"date":"2024-12-10T12:18:16","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T09:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/?p=824407"},"modified":"2025-08-08T10:31:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T07:31:07","slug":"syrias-collapse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/2024\/12\/10\/syrias-collapse\/","title":{"rendered":"Syria\u2019s Collapse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Syria\u2019s Collapse and the Resurgence of T\u00fcrkiye: A Critical Turning Point in Middle Eastern Geopolitics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Syrian conflict is rapidly reaching a breaking point, with Bashar al-Assad&#8217;s administration teetering on the brink of collapse. The Assad regime, already a shadow of its former self, faces an existential crisis compounded by growing internal dissent, economic devastation, and increasing isolation. As Syria falls apart, the region&#8217;s geopolitical landscape is being reshaped, and T\u00fcrkiye has emerged as a decisive player whose role cannot be ignored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Strategic Pushback Against Terrorism<br>T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s unyielding stance on its national security has redefined the dynamics in northern Syria and Iraq . Through military operations and its strategic alliance with the Syrian National Army (SNA), T\u00fcrkiye has neutralized the influence of the CIA backed PKK and its affiliates, the PYD and YPG, which Ankara sees as direct threats to its sovereignty. The Turkish government has been unequivocal: it will not tolerate the establishment of a terrorist PKK PYG YPG group -controlled autonomous region along its border, particularly one backed by the CIA and supported by the same terrorist groups the U.S. and EU have officially designated as such. It should be clearly noted Turkiye has never had a problem with Kurds . Turkiyes number one enemy is the CIA backed PKK, YPG and PYD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This determination has not only thwarted PKK\/ YPG ambitions but has also showcased T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s ability to reshape the power lines in Syria. According to certain news outlets, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s military presence in northern Syria remains vital, ensuring that these groups cannot create a land-grab-style movement that threatens regional stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Graham: &quot;Hope is not a strategy&quot;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kLiVjIv9fdc?start=31&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The United States\u2019 Misstep<br>What is most astonishing in this geopolitical chess game is the United States\u2019 decision to align itself with terrorist organizations that they have labeled as terrorist ( During Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on combating ISIS, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) questions Secretary Carter and General Dunford on the U.S. military strategy in working with terrorist PKK and PYG )<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kLiVjIv9fdc&amp;t=31s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kLiVjIv9fdc&amp;t=31s<\/a>\u00a0like the PKK and YPG instead of leveraging its NATO ally, T\u00fcrkiye, the second-largest military power within the alliance. This miscalculation has not only strained U.S.-T\u00fcrkiye relations but has also weakened Washington\u2019s strategic influence in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Obama and Biden administrations\u2019 decision to support the Kurdish Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, controlled by PYG, PYD\/PKK elements, represents a failure to prioritize long-term strategic alliances over short-term expediencies. As many news out lets aptly highlights, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s resurgence has rewritten the rules of power in the region, pushing back against Iranian and Russian influence while exposing the U.S.\u2019s flawed approach. For 24 years I have said in many of my speeches at Bowling Green Falg raisings \u201c Indeed, it would be impossible to view Turkiye s geo-graphic situation as anything but strategic , Only a peaceful, stronger, democratic, and secular Turkiye at the table can legitimize U.S and western policies &amp; soft power in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s look at the Winners and Losers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the chaos of Syria, T\u00fcrkiye and Israel have emerged as unlikely beneficiaries. Israel views T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s role as a linchpin in Syria positively, as it disrupts the &#8220;Shiite Crescent&#8221; that stretches from Tehran to Beirut. By cutting this axis in half, T\u00fcrkiye has indirectly bolstered Israel\u2019s security interests. Is why we saw on November 22, 2024 of Israeli, Internal Security Agency Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar immediately flies to T\u00fcrkiye underscores an essential truth: T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s role is indispensable to achieving meaningful progress in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, the resistance axis\u2014comprising Assad, Tehran, and Hezbollah\u2014has suffered significant setbacks. With T\u00fcrkiye controlling key security zones in northern Syria, the balance of power has shifted, further isolating Assad and diminishing Iran\u2019s foothold in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">T\u00fcrkiye: The Key to Stability<br>T\u00fcrkiye has consistently stated its commitment to Syria\u2019s territorial integrity, yet its actions have been driven by an unshakable resolve to secure its borders. The Atlantic Council underscores that T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s military operations are not about territorial ambitions but about ensuring its national security. T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s presence in northern Syria has not only contained terrorist groups but also prevented Iran and Russia from consolidating power in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a clear message: without T\u00fcrkiye at the table, no viable solution in Syria is possible. T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s actions have demonstrated that it is the indispensable actor in the region, capable of balancing competing interests while prioritizing its own security and national interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Wake-Up Call for Washington<br>The U.S. must recognize that its relationship with T\u00fcrkiye is pivotal to achieving long-term stability in the Middle East. While the damage done under the Obama and Biden administrations cannot be undone overnight, there is room for a recalibrated approach. Under a potential Trump White House, Washington must shift its focus from grand resets to pragmatic cooperation with its NATO ally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s secular governance, military strength, and strategic location make it an invaluable partner for the U.S. Moving forward, Washington should prioritize rebuilding trust with Ankara by addressing T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s security concerns and fostering meaningful collaboration on shared goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conclusion<br>T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s resurgence has not only pushed back against the PKK\/YPG , Russia and Iran but has also reshaped the geopolitical calculus in Syria and Iraq . As the Assad regime collapses , the importance of T\u00fcrkiye as a stabilizing force and a counterweight to Iranian and Russian ambitions cannot be overstated. The U.S. and Israel must realign its policies, recognizing T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s critical role in the region, and work towards a future where this indispensable NATO ally is given the respect and partnership it deserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ibrahim Kurtulus&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Community Activist&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Syria\u2019s Collapse and the Resurgence of T\u00fcrkiye: A Critical Turning Point in Middle Eastern Geopolitics. The Syrian conflict is rapidly reaching a breaking point, with Bashar al-Assad&#8217;s administration teetering on the brink of collapse. The Assad regime, already a shadow of its former self, faces an existential crisis compounded by growing internal dissent, economic devastation, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4131,"featured_media":668920,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11047,56],"tags":[3883,8657],"class_list":["post-824407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ibrahim-kurtulus","category-syria","tag-bashar-al-assad","tag-syria-civil-war"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/824407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=824407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/824407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/668920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=824407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=824407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=824407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}