WHY NOT, EVERYBODY ELSE DOES: Did Turkey outmaneuver the US?

Washington can’t overlook the fact that the Turkish military and its allies in the Free Syria Army (FSA) have the potential to deal ISIL a serious blow. It is no secret that it wanted the Turkish military to get actively involved in Syria against ISIL a long time ago.

That is happening now, but not the way it wants.

Meanwhile President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on record saying the US has to choose who its ally is, Turkey or the [Kurdish] PYD/YPG. This approach is not alien to Washington. Former President George W. Bush used a similar phrase after 9/11 and said “Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.”

The balance Washington is trying to maintain between Turkey and the PYD/YPG is tantamount to supporting terrorism for the Turkish political and security establishment, as well as most Turks. That is why Washington’s call on Ankara not to move against the PYD/YPG will most likely go unheeded.

All is proceeding exactly as I have foreseen — which makes you wonder why the Obama Administration couldn’t see this coming.