Why the Turkey-Syria border conflict is a ‘proxy war’ for US-Russia
In Depth: America sidelined as Nato ally Turkey attacks US-backed Kurdish fighters
Ankara today announced its first two combat deaths in Turkey’s clash with US-backed Kurdish fighters south of the border in Syria - a battle many see as a proxy war pitting Russian military might against a weakened America.
“Relations between Turkey and Russia have been gradually getting closer in the context of the Syria conflict, whereas tensions have been rising between Ankara and Washington, which backs the Kurdish fighters in northern Syria,” reports Al Jazeera.
The armed conflict began on Saturday and pits America against its fellow Nato member in a territory where US diplomatic ties have been sorely tested already by the wars in Syria and Iraq.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“The Turkish offensive, carried out over the protests of the US but with the apparent assent of Russia, marks a perilous new phase in relations between two Nato allies - bringing their interests into direct conflict on the battlefield,” The New York Times says. “It lays bare how much leverage the United States has lost in Syria, where its single-minded focus has been on vanquishing Islamist militants.”
The ties that bind
Historically, Russia has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has waged a seven-year war against the dual threat of Islamic State militants and the Syrian rebels who want to overthrow his regime.
And now Moscow has entered into an “agreement” with Ankara on the border war against US-backed Kurdish fighters, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday.
The US, meanwhile, supported Syrian rebels trying to overthrow Assad during the Obama regime - although the Trump administration appears to have pulled back from such covert operations, The Atlantic magazine reports.
Crucially, however, the US announced plans last week to train up a 30,000-strong border protection force in northern Syria to prevent Isis from returning. That border force will consist mainly of members of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) - considered by the Turkish government to be a terrorist group.
Offensive Olive Branch
President Erdogan has accused the US of building an “army of terror” on his border. After threatening to drown the US-backed forces, Erdogan launched “Offensive Olive Branch” in northwestern Syria this weekend.
The bloody conflict has so far left 50 people dead during three days of intense shelling and air strikes, The Guardian reports.
It has also left the US watching from the sidelines, The New York Times reports, while Russia aligns itself with Turkey and accuses the US of encouraging the Kurds and aggravating the Syrian conflict.
So far, the Turkish border operations are confined to targets around Afrin, a region about 30 miles north of Aleppo that is of limited strategic concern to the US.
Syrian expert Andrew J. Tabler told the newspaper that the big question is whether Turkey will push further into Syria.
“That could bring Turkey into conflict with the main force of Kurds, and even potentially, with American troops,” Tabler said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Musk's reliance on China draws rising scrutiny'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Biba: the story of a 'legendary emporium'
The Week Recommends Brand's 60th anniversary is being marked with retrospective celebrating the 'iconic shop's cultural importance'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
How the Russia-Ukraine conflict has spread to Africa
The Explainer Ukraine is attempting to strengthen its alliances on the continent to counter Russia's growing presence
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How Islamic State bombings in Iran could escalate regional war
The Explainer Terrorist group claims responsibility for deadly blasts on 'irredeemable foe' but Tehran likely to ramp up anti-US rhetoric
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published