In late April, for the second time in four months, Russia convened a multi-party meeting of defense and intelligence chiefs attended by Syria and Turkey. This time, Iran also participated. The main item on the agenda has been the Turkish insistence on military presence within the territory of Northern Syria, in order to fight Kurdish separatists who are also resisting the Assad regime. Obviously, Russia wants the Syrian front to quiet down, with some economic benefits for Damascus, while it is occupied in the Ukraine war and strengthening its ties with Iran.
To help us break down this complex relationship and perhaps throw the United States, NATO and Israel into this mix, we are joined from Washington DC by; Retired Colonel Rich Outzen, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council - formerly served as both a senior military and civilian advisor at the U.S. State Department at the office of the Special Representative for Syria (Among others). Also joining us from Itanbul, Turkey Yusuf Erim, TRT World Editor At Large. And Amir Oren.
