The Assad Erdogan Meeting: What You Need to Know
In a significant development, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian leader Bashar Assad are set to meet in Moscow, with Russian President Vladimir Putin as the mediator. The aim of the meeting is to normalize relations between Turkey and Syria, with discussions on trade and the eventual withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory.
Russia’s Strategic Influence
The exclusion of Iran from the talks highlights tensions between Moscow and Tehran, as Russia seeks to strengthen its influence in Syria. This meeting underscores the competition between Russia and Iran for control over Syria’s post-war future.
Key Issues at Stake
Assad has insisted that the talks should address Turkey’s support for “terrorism” and the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria. Turkey, on the other hand, aims to restore relations with Syria after severing ties in 2011 during the civil war.
This meeting sets the stage for a complex geopolitical dance between regional powers, with implications for the future of Syria and the wider Middle East.