ANKARA - Arguing that the US President-elected Joe Biden administration will work closely with Russia on the establishment of an autonomous region in Northern and Eastern Syria, Political Scientist Mustafa Peköz said negative developments between Ankara and Washington could result in an early election.
The presidential election of the United States of America (USA), which was watched closely by the whole world, resulted in the victory of Joe Biden. Biden's being the new president of the United States, also interpreted as a harbinger of new developments for Turkey as well as all over the world.
We have spoken to Political Scientist Mustafa Peköz about the US- Middle East relationship in the Biden period.
Speaking about the effects of the election results on the Middle East, Peköz said: "It is possible to make some new arrangements in terms of economy, political and military relations in the Middle East. The US military presence in the region will be redefined. Active support will be given to the relations between Israel and the Arab world. There will be no serious conflict and pressure expected with Saudi Arabia due to the murder of journalist Kaşıkçı. It will work with the MB Security Council and Germany to renew the nuclear agreement adopted by Obama on Iran in a new format and to make more concessions about Iran. The relations seems to be based on reconciliation, not war with Iran. Therefore, the gradual removal of the embargo within mutual negotiations will not be a surprise. In other words, Biden will make a new plan in line with the strategy to be determined by the Pentagon and the Foreign Affairs regarding Iraq and Syria, and the Middle East.Nobody should have any doubts about siding with the Greek Cypriot side and Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean."
Commenting on the relationship between US and the Kurds, Peköz said: "More concrete steps may be taken in order to increase the political and military power of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. Depending on the political stability of Baghdad and its relations with Iran, the political position of the Kurdistan Regional Administration can be strengthened. . It would not be a surprise that the disputed areas, including Kirkuk, were given to the Kurdistan Regional Government."
Speaking on the plans on North and East Syria, Peköz said: "The strategy followed by Trump and Pentagon and Foreign Affairs have been different. Trump allowed Ankara to carry out operations against North and East Syria. However, Pentagon was against these operations. US Special Envoy for Syria James Jeffrey was an influential figure in Trump's Syria policy. The fact that he resigned before the election results were announced shows that the Pentagon's influence in US policy in Syria will increase. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the US based coalition forces strengthens Syrian Democratic Forces in terms of military. Biden's policy in Syria will be a new version of Obama's strategy. It is highly probable that it will work much closer with Russia on the establishment of an autonomous region in North-East Syria, ending the Syrian war until the middle of 2022 and making political-diplomatic-military moves that can provide a solution to this problem. Likewise, it will be very difficult for Ankara to make military moves against North and East Syria from now on. US will show military reflex to Islamist organizations in the region which will make things harder for the AKP government."
Speaking on the policies of the current government and how it can change, Peköz added that the negative developments in Washington- Ankara relations, may lead to a early general election in Turkey.