​Erdogan wants his war in Syria

TURKEY - In Brief 24 May 2022 by Atilla Yesilada

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Monday’s Cabinet meeting wasclosely watched by market participants, with the expectation that Erdogan would officially announce the details of inflation-linked TL bonds. He didn’t, instead he rolled out new populist measures, which smacked of an intention togo to polls early. He also had a surprise for the West.He intends to send the Turkish Army into Syria once again, to establish more Turkey-controlled cantons at the expense of Syrian Kurds. If such a campaign is launched, the negative feedback effects would be significant. Reliable Ankara correspondent Mr. Murat Yetkin commented in his blog: “The statement came after Erdoğan’s cabinet meeting and it was not a usual one. The president had previously announced cross-border military operations, but it was remarkable that he was giving a precise date for that. He explained that the aim of the operation is “to complete the efforts to establish safe zones along Turkey’s southern borders,” which means both Syrian and Iraqi borders, 30 kilometers deep. Erdogan explained that the operation aims to complete the efforts to establish safe zones “along our southern borders”, which means both the Syrian and Iraqi borders, 30 kilometers deep. He said that the operation will begin when the army, intelligence and security forces are ready. This actually means that the preparations for a comprehensive operation to be launched in Syria (and possibly simultaneously in Iraq) have been completed, and he will hit the button at the MGK (Thursday’s National Security Council meeting).(link here) I don’t yet think another Syrian campaign is imminent, but unless US or Russia clearly communicate to Ankara that there will be consequences of such...