Powers united for Syria

Underlining that the visit was proposed and planned by the US, Bugün’s Adem Yavuz Arslan says this proves the US’s seriousness and determination to take immediate action in Syria. Also, the meeting has shown that in contrast to recent claims, the US is not dragging Turkey into a war; on the contrary it has come to a point where it agrees with Turkey. Another important point the meeting has revealed is that Russian participation is no longer necessary for taking a step in Syria and that there is no hope for a diplomatic solution, either, meaning we have entered a new phase regarding the Syrian crisis, and although a no-fly buffer zone may not be established right away, planning the steps that will be taken soon is a significant development.

Recalling Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s previous statement that if necessary Turkey will take on an active, initiating role unless the US assumes a more active role regarding the resolution of the crisis in Syria, Şamil Tayyar from the Star daily interprets Erdoğan’s statement as Turkey warning the US that Turkey will shoulder responsibility for tackling the crisis whether alone or together with the US, because the upheavals in Syria have started to affect and even threaten Turkey, too. Clinton’s visit came right after this warning, and it shows that the US has finally taken a determined stance regarding the Syrian issue. Tayyar says the two countries will set up intelligence and military groups and will plan the overthrow of the Assad regime. And depending on the results of the meeting that will take place in the following days with France, other countries may join the operation planning process, too. Tayyar describes Turkey’s goals in the operation plan as: firstly, seeing the Assad regime end and a transitional government like the one in Libya established; secondly, seeing Syria’s territorial integrity maintained; and thirdly, making sure that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) will not be allowed to establish an administration in Syrian territory. Tayyar in the end calls it Turkey’s diplomatic success to get the US on the field, because the US’s stance will surely influence other countries to a great degree. However, time will tell how the US’s words will be reflected on the field, he says.