Turkey seeks undermining AANES via supporting Russia – Expert
WASHINGTON, US (North Press) – Turkey seeks to undermine the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) by supporting Russia in its war in Ukraine, a researcher told North Press on Thursday.
A report published by the Financial Times on Nov. 27 revealed an increase in Turkey’s export of goods to Russia to help it in its war in Ukraine.
Nicholas Heras, the Senior Director for the Strategy and Innovation Department at New Lines Institute, told North Press,”Russia is actively trying to engage closely with Turkey to undermine the Autonomous Administration in northeast Syria and to force the United States out of Syria.”
The American researcher added that “Erdogan is keenly concerned about appearing to be a leader who can effectively manage the Turkish economy, and American sanctions pressure, and especially secondary sanctions pressure, is really the only truly powerful way for the U.S. to compel changes in Erdogan’s behavior toward the Syrian Kurds.”
Regarding Turkey’s exports to Russia, the Financial Times report said, “The growing trade, and the corresponding rise in imports to Turkey of 45 civilian materials used by Russia’s military, has undermined US and European attempts to curb Moscow’s ability to equip its armed forces, fuelling tensions between Ankara and its Nato partners.”
As for the negative role played by Turkey through its support for Russia, Heras said, “There is enormous tension within the U.S.-Turkish relationship due to Erdogan’s policy to position Turkey as a ‘Eurasian’ actor that is as close to Russia as it is to the United States.”
The researcher noted that Erdogan’s policy on Russia is a “severely complicating factor” for the Biden administration, adding that placing sanctions is the “only effective tool” to curb Turkey.