Turkey risks new low with US over Syria Kurd assault

WASHINGTON: In launching an offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria, Turkey is risking a new low in relations with the United States including potentially painful sanctions, even if President Donald Trump may prove sympathetic.

"Pray for our Kurdish allies who have been shamelessly abandoned by the Trump Administration. This move ensures the re-emergence of ISIS," said Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican senator who is usually a steadfast supporter of Trump."Will lead effort in Congress to make Erdogan pay a heavy price," he warned on Twitter before taking his message to"Fox and Friends," a favourite show of the television-loving Trump.

"We have extraordinary leverage with Erdogan: why wouldn't the president get a deal with Turkey before withdrawing US troops?" asked Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat who has emerged as a leading critic of war hawks.Gonul Tol, director of the Turkey program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said that Erdogan was looking primarily at domestic considerations, especially after his party's humiliating loss in Istanbul local elections.

With Trump known to break diplomatic norms, Erdogan likely sees the US leader as similar to him, with his every word becoming policy, Tol added. Even before entering office, Trump enjoyed ties to Erdogan, Turkey's paramount leader since 2003. In a 2012 encounter drawing fresh scrutiny, the real estate tycoon's daughter Ivanka thanked Erdogan for attending the opening of Trump Towers Istanbul.Erdogan has seen that Trump can push back against congressional anger in the past.

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