(You can listen to this week's program of viewpoints prepared by Keyvan Hosseini here.) Some American officials say that Turkey does not strictly control death travelers and allows radical Muslims from all over the world to pass through Turkey to join the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria and become jihadists. The opposition to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claims that he and his allies do not hesitate to assist ISIS. The Turkish government has always denied these accusations, but in practice, not only is Turkey not mentioned in the fight against the 'Islamic State,' but actions such as preventing American planes from bombing ISIS directly obstruct some anti-ISIS efforts. What is Turkey's strategy regarding the Islamic State (ISIS)? And why can't the United States—Turkey's long-standing and key ally—convince this country to act with full force against the 'Islamic Caliphate'? Hamin Seydi, an analyst familiar with Middle Eastern Kurdish issues, Hossein Aryan, a military affairs expert, and Jalil Roshendil, a professor of international relations at American universities, are this week's guests on viewpoints to answer these questions.
Turkey's Game with the 'Islamic State' Card
The article discusses allegations that Turkey is lax in controlling jihadist travelers heading to Syria to join ISIS, with opposition figures claiming Erdoğan's government supports the group. Despite U.S. concerns, Turkey's actions appear to hinder anti-ISIS operations, raising questions about its strategy and the U.S.-Turkey alliance.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The article discusses allegations that Turkey is not effectively controlling the flow of jihadist fighters to ISIS in Syria, with claims that Erdoğan's government may even support the group. This has raised concerns from U.S. officials about Turkey's commitment to fighting ISIS.
- Turkey is accused of allowing jihadists to travel through its territory to join ISIS.
- U.S. officials express frustration over Turkey's actions that hinder anti-ISIS operations.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The conflict in Syria has seen various actors, including ISIS, vying for control, with Turkey playing a complex role that sometimes aligns with extremist groups. The U.S. has been involved in anti-ISIS operations but faces challenges due to its alliance with Turkey.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%