So is Erdogan still trying to overthrow Assad?
I don’t know. But I think that Assad is dispensable to Putin if he can get either American or Turkish cooperation instead. Or it could be that Erdogan doesn’t mind Assad so much if Russia yields on something else.
What we see here is strengthening of forces that are Islamic, anti-American and civilized, at the expense of forces secular, pro-American and civilized. That was always Iran, Pakistan and Egypt both on the fence, Iraq under Saddam and possibly soon again, and now Turkey, and Assad if he survives. Russia would support such block because it matches its own policy in Asia. It does not include al-Qaeda and ISIS, who are enemies of all.
I don’t know. But I think that Assad is dispensable to Putin if he can get either American or Turkish cooperation instead. Or it could be that Erdogan doesn’t mind Assad so much if Russia yields on something else.
What we see here is strengthening of forces that are Islamic, anti-American and civilized, at the expense of forces secular, pro-American and civilized. That was always Iran, Pakistan and Egypt both on the fence, Iraq under Saddam and possibly soon again, and now Turkey, and Assad if he survives. Russia would support such block because it matches its own policy in Asia. It does not include al-Qaeda and ISIS, who are enemies of all.