In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Washington and Ankara have reached a general consensus on steps to normalize the situation in Syria. This development comes amidst heightened tensions following the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who fled to Russia after armed opposition groups launched a coordinated offensive in late November.

Blinken’s comments, made during a tour of the Middle East, suggest a cautious alignment of US and Turkish interests in Syria, despite their historically divergent approaches to the region. The discussions also underscore the Biden administration’s intent to foster a unified regional strategy to stabilize Syria while preventing a resurgence of Islamic State (ISIS).

The US and Türkiye have long been key players in the Syrian conflict, albeit with differing priorities. Washington has been a steadfast supporter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition of Kurdish and Arab militias instrumental in the fight against ISIS. In contrast, Türkiye views the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara considers a terrorist organization.

Türkiye’s deep-seated concerns over the SDF stem from its fears of Kurdish separatism and terrorism within its borders. Speaking in Jordan on December 13, Blinken acknowledged these concerns, stating, “Türkiye has real and clear interests, particularly when it comes to the PKK and terrorism… which is an enduring threat to Türkiye.”

At the same time, Blinken warned against policies that could spark further internal conflicts in Syria. He emphasized the need to strike a delicate balance: addressing........

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