Trump's Praise for Erdoğan Sparks Concerns Over Unintended Consequences

US President Donald Trump placed Turkey center stage during recent talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, lavishing praise on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and crediting Turkey as the decisive force in overthrowing Syria's Assad regime. However, analyst Zeynep Gürcanlı suggests these seemingly positive remarks could herald significant and potentially negative consequences for Ankara.

Gürcanlı points out that Trump's reference to Pastor Andrew Brunson alongside his praise for Erdoğan is problematic. Brunson's release from Turkish detention followed intense US pressure and threats, undermining Ankara's claims of judicial independence – a sensitive issue given the current imprisonment of potential presidential rivals to Erdoğan, such as Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Zafer Party leader Ümit Özdağ.

Furthermore, Trump's assertion that Turkey toppled Assad directly contradicts Ankara's long-held narrative that the Syrian people led their revolution. This official stance aimed to avoid alienating Arab nations and Assad's allies, Russia and Iran. Gürcanlı notes that Trump's words risk shattering this careful positioning, citing social media chatter already labeling Syrian opposition figures as "Turkey's pawns."

The US President's offer to mediate between Turkey and Israel also presents a dilemma. Accepting could significantly damage Erdoğan's cultivated image as Gaza's staunchest defender, while rejection risks antagonizing Trump. Trump's description of Gaza compounds this as "incredible real estate" potentially under US control, clashing starkly with Turkey's "Gaza belongs to Palestinians" policy.

Adding complexity are concurrent, undenied reports, such as in the Middle East Eye, suggesting Turkey and Israel are discussing mechanisms to prevent conflict in Syria.

Gürcanlı concludes that while Trump may be using praise as an initial tactic – referencing a quote about using words before resorting to force, attributed to the new US Ambassador – the potential fallout for Turkey concerning Iran, Cyprus, and the Eastern Mediterranean remains uncertain, leaving Ankara to navigate a complex and unpredictable diplomatic landscape.

Photo: FMT

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