What are key political and economic gain Turkey have by engaging themselves in Syria? What is Erdogan’s read agenda
Introduction
Turkey’s involvement in the Syrian conflict has been driven by several key strategic objectives:
Security Concerns
Eliminating the YPG threat
Turkey views the Kurdish YPG forces along its border as a significant security threat due to their ties with the PKK.
Preventing terrorist attacks
By establishing a “security corridor” along the border, Turkey aims to reduce the risk of attacks on its territory.
Domestic Politics
Refugee management
Turkey hosts over 3.6 million Syrian refugees. Military operations in Syria provide an opportunity to create areas for refugee resettlement, addressing domestic anti-refugee sentiment. Most importantly Erdogan wants to send 3.6 million Syrian refugees back for which he took €10 billion from EU.
Rallying nationalist support
Syria operations have helped President Erdogan consolidate power by appealing to nationalist sentiments, especially around election times.
Regional Influence
Establishing client states
Turkey has created de facto client states in areas under its control, strengthening its role in any future Syrian peace deal.
Shaping post-war Syria
By maintaining a presence in Syria, Turkey aims to influence the country’s future political landscape.
There is also a strong possibility Turkey wants regime change to Sunni majority. If that happens Shia, Iran, influence will be over. This is quite evident but he does not want a figure pointed at him breaking the regime.
But Turkey was aware of the attack by supporting HTS.
Also Kurds want their own autonomy They neither want to go under Syria or Turkey regime. But Erdogan is showing that all these groups sit down and talk.
We all know no one will. And most importantly Bashar Al-Assad does not Amat to loose power
Strategic Realignment
Leverage with the West: Turkey’s actions in Syria have become a bargaining chip in its relations with the US and NATO allies.
Closer ties with Russia
Turkey’s involvement has led to a strategic realignment with Russia, despite supporting opposing sides in the conflict.
Conclusion
By pursuing these objectives, Turkey aims to address its security concerns, manage domestic political pressures, and enhance its regional influence, albeit at the cost of strained relations with some of its traditional allies.