Staff Reports
With tensions ramping up in the Middle East, it’s no surprise that U.S. relations with Turkey are reaching a boiling point, thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest antics. The Turkish military has been firing on U.S.-backed forces in Syria, which leaves the impression that Erdogan may just be auditioning for the next season of “America’s Got Enemies.” It’s time to drop the diplomacy niceties and recognize that allowing Erdogan to continue unchecked could end up costing American lives.
Erdogan appears to have picked up right where he left off, flaunting his disregard for American interests as if they were just pesky speed bumps on his way to political dominance. He seems to believe he can act like a regional bully, throwing punches at those who should be allies, all while the White House twiddles its thumbs in a grand performance of ineffective policymaking. It’s time for the Biden administration to show some backbone and let Erdogan know that bullying the U.S. and its allies will have consequences.
It isn’t just the troops in the area who are at risk; American citizens should be concerned about the ramifications of diplomatic weakness. The longer the hesitation persists, the more likely a catastrophic incident could occur in this already tense field of conflict. Having learned from history, Americans remember what happens when adversaries are not confronted—think Iran, North Korea, and learning to dodge the draft in the dumpster fire that was Vietnam. Not exactly a shining example of U.S. foreign policy.
Washington better rein in slimy Turkish President Erdogan — before Americans get hurt https://t.co/qbxWiFLMqj
— Fredric U. Dicker (@fud31) December 11, 2024
One has to wonder if Erdogan is under the illusion that he’s playing a high-stakes game of Risk with America’s strategy. As Turkey continues to flex its military might, the U.S. needs to remind Ankara that America isn’t just another pawn on their game board. The original promise of U.S. support to Kurdish forces in Syria, who were instrumental in combating ISIS, should not go unrecognized or disrespected. Washington cannot afford the luxury of being pushed around by a man who seems to believe he’s playing the world’s most dangerous game of chess without any sense of his opponent’s strategy.
It’s clear that Erdogan needs a reminder of who’s really in charge. The United States must take decisive action to rein in this rogue leader. It’s time for America to stand firm and act in its best interests—because if there’s anything the world needs, it’s less hesitation and more determination in defending American allies and interests. After all, no one wants to witness another international incident that could have been avoided with a little assertive leadership.
