GPI Global Policy Institute

On January 16, The Global Policy Institute held an event to discuss the announced US withdrawal of US troops from Syria and other issues pertaining to the broader US – Turkey relations titled:   Can the US and Turkey Find a Common Ground in Syria?

The speakers included: Colonel Douglas Macgregor (ret), Military Analyst, Executive VP, Burke-Macgregor Group LLC, Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President, American Foreign Policy Council, and Burak Kuntay, President, American Studies Center at Bahcesehir University. Paolo von Schirach, President of the Global Policy Institute and Professor of International Affairs at BAU International University was the Moderator.

The panelists discussed President Trump’s recent announcement about withdrawing US military forces from Syria, a significant policy shift which was followed by a flurry of diplomatic and security negotiations between Washington and Ankara. They all agreed that much still needs to be clarified regarding conditions upon which America will implement its withdrawal. Ankara may not agree on some of them, especially pertaining to the future of the YPG presence in the region as an armed and potentially hostile force positioned right at the Turkey – Syria border.

The discussion focused also on ongoing attempts by the US administration to redefine US national security priorities in the light of the long, costly and mostly unsuccessful military interventions and protracted occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

More broadly, the panelist expressed their opinions on what can we expect when it comes to the future of US Turkey relations beyond trying to find common ground on Syria. There was a degree of optimism that, building on this dialogue on the future of Syria, Ankara and Washington will be able to refashion a workable relationship based on shared visions and interests when it comes to security concerns in the Middle East.

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalPolicyInstitute/videos/2194506924143389/