By Ibrahim Kurtulus
In the fast-changing circumstances in the Eastern Mediterranean and Mideast, The Turkish government has adopted a new vision in its foreign policy in the last year or so to mend relations with a number of countries in the region.
That new vision may just bring a new Syria policy which may emerge because of the changing circumstance in the Mideast.
Turkiye ( Turkey ) and Syria, the political rift between needs to change asap. Syrian refugees of 4 million in Turkiye have become a matter of internal static that the administration in Ankara can no longer avoid not to solve. When, how, and if Syrians will go back to their homeland has become a matter of fierce debate between political parties but more important voices of disapproval are at high levels coming from Turkish Tax prayers wanting for Syrians to go back home.
The Republic of Turkiye can no longer take a position on Syria settlement without President Bashar al-Assad because the situation on the ground has changed dramatically against the National Interest and National Security of Turkiye.
It is very important for the Republic of Turkiye to restart diplomatic relations with President Bashar al-Assad by putting aside the political rift and focusing on the short and long-term interests of both countries. If such a normalization happens, Ankara and Damascus may obtain economic and better border security.
Washington, Tehran and Moscow may not be warm to Turkiye mending fences with President Bashar al-Assad but Turkiye should focus on saying Turkiye “First”. Overall, it would ultimately be in Turkiye’s National Interest and National Security to reach a negotiated settlement with Assad.
