And he also recommended that Erdogan negotiate with Syrian Kurdish leader Gen. Mazloum Abdi — a man that Turkey considers to be a terrorist. The same source claimed that Turkey’s operation of northern Syria was “the clearest answer” to the letter from the U.S. president. The “Johnson letter” of 1964 was a turning point in Turkey’s relations with the United States. America’s popularity among Turks had been on a downward slope well before Trump’s letter, at any rate. And just like Inonu, Erdogan may respond by tilting further towards Moscow.

Source: Washington Post October 19, 2019 19:41 UTC