The Ottoman Empire Strikes Back

Turkey becomes a regional power again

Turkish armed forces reportedly built up along the Syrian border last week in preparation for an offensive against Kurdish fighters. President Erdoğan wants to eliminate his enemies in Syria. He threatens to further displace the Kurdish population of northeastern Syria unless the PKK and YPG leave voluntarily. HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), the victorious faction that Erdoğan supports, demands that the remaining US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) integrate into the new Syrian Army, giving the new government a monopoly of force. Erdoğan wants a pacified country that can flourish under his benevolent care and protection.

Erdoğan enjoys more influence in, and power over, Syria than any Turkish leader since the end of the Ottoman empire. Revanchist, bullying, a bit genocidal: the Erdoğan regime is only distinguishable from the Ottomans by the absence of fez hats and a caliphate.