Ankara is currently basking in its golden moment after years of waiting. The wannabe Khalifa of Turkey, Erdogan, is beaming with joy following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad, while Kurdish clans bear the brunt of relentless bombardments. Erdogan is masterfully milking the crisis for all it’s worth. Biden’s deafening silence is only adding fuel to the fire.
But hold on, ladies and gentlemen. The free ride sponsored by Biden’s incompetence and blind ignorance is about to screech to a halt. Trump has drawn his line in the sand, promising the harshest sanctions that could potentially cripple Ankara’s ambitions.
SANCTIONS LOOM ON ANKARA
Lindsay Graham, a staunch Trump ally and hardline MAGA supporter, has drawn a line in the sand. The US Republican Senator is ready to unleash sanctions on NATO member Türkiye if it dares to attack the American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group.
Graham argues that sweeping operations against the SDF would inadvertently boost the Islamic State (IS). The SDF has reported being under Turkish artillery and drone attacks, with clashes erupting around Manbij, a city near Aleppo.
According to reports, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army has already captured Manbij, with the SDF withdrawing. Graham’s stance is crystal clear: the Kurdish forces, who were instrumental in destroying ISIS during Trump’s presidency, should not be threatened by Turkey or radical Islamist groups.
ERDOGAN HAPPIEST AFTER ASSAD’S FALL
And so, he’s prepared to draft bipartisan sanctions against Turkey if they proceed with military operations against these Kurdish forces. The geopolitical tightrope walk continues, with Graham serving as a vocal watchdog of US strategic interests in the region.
Turkey isn’t just another player in the Syrian conflict—it’s the pivotal external force driving the rebel narrative. Geographically positioned right next to Syrian rebel territories in the northwest, Turkey under Erdoğan has been strategically invested since the 2011 Arab Spring uprising against Assad’s regime.
Erdoğan’s approach has been complex and calculated. He’s consistently backed various Islamist groups throughout the Syrian civil war, with Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—formerly the Al-Nusra Front—emerging as the most prominent rebel organization.
TURKEY’S HATRED FOR ASSAD EXPLAINED
Since 2016, Turkey has launched multiple military operations in Syria, each with a strategic purpose. Operations like Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, and Peace Spring weren’t just military interventions—they were carefully orchestrated moves to establish what Erdoğan calls a “safe zone” in northern Syria. In reality, Erdogan wanted a ground intrusion into Syria.
The Syria debacle is just the tip of the iceberg for Erdogan. Trump and his team have been watching Turkey’s moves with growing suspicion for years, accumulating a dossier of grievances that now threaten to unleash a sanctions storm.
Turkey is playing a dangerous double game. While attacking US allies in Syria, it’s simultaneously bolstering Trump’s rival Iran. Over the past four years, Turkey has strengthened economic and political ties with Iran’s regime, providing a crucial safe haven for companies to bypass sanctions. Turkish firms are actively smuggling prohibited components, including aircraft and drone parts, to Iran.
Mahan Air, partially owned by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, operates key flights between Iran and Turkey. These routes enable the smuggling of critical parts for armed drones and other restricted technologies.
TURKEY ALSO ASSISTING IRAN
Despite US and European sanctions, Turkish companies continue to help Iran circumvent international restrictions, exploiting the reduced sanctions pressure under the Biden administration. The result? A strategic network that undermines Trump’s isolation efforts and strengthens Iran’s international positioning.
Turkey is boldly navigating toward the BRICS alliance, a move guaranteed to antagonize Trump, who views BRICS as a direct economic threat. Despite being a NATO member, Ankara is pursuing its economic interests by courting this anti-dollar coalition, effectively challenging Western economic orthodoxy.
The irony isn’t lost on anyone: a NATO member strategically positioning itself against Western financial interests. Trump, known for his confrontational approach, sees this as a clear provocation. And he’s ready to respond with sanctions that could potentially cripple Turkey’s economic ambitions.
The explosive 2019 letter remains a pivotal moment in their relationship. Trump’s blunt message to Erdogan was crystal clear: “Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a fool!”
TRUMP SET TO HIT ERDOGAN WITH FURY
When US troops were pulled out of Syria, Trump explicitly urged Erdogan not to launch a military offensive against Kurdish-led forces. Erdogan’s brazen disregard for this warning set the stage for future confrontations.
Now, with Turkey practically inviting sanctions and Trump more than willing to oblige, the stage is set for a high-stakes diplomatic showdown that could reshape regional power dynamics.
The tension between these two leaders has been simmering, and it’s now reaching a boiling point. Trump is set to charge Erdogan and honestly, it is the need of the hour.
