After calling back US troops from Syria and the investable invasion by the Turkish military, Trump has looked to pressure Turkey to end their invasion of northern Syria through sanctions.
What We Know:
- Sanctions are a tactic America has used in the past to weaken potential enemies. Trump has also used sanctions on countries such as Iran and he recently tweeted that he will use his executive order power to introduce new sanctions on Turkey. According to the New York Times, Trump has also urged Turkish president Erdogan to enact a cease-fire.
Statement from President Donald J. Trump Regarding Turkey’s Actions in Northeast Syria pic.twitter.com/ZCQC7nzmME
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019
- Turkey is specifically looking to target the Kurds. The Kurds are a group that has been looking for its own sovereign country since World War 1 but never received it. The destruction of the Kurdish military can see a possible resurgence in ISIS due to the lack of an opposing power. The Kurds are now allying with a US enemy in Bashar al-Assad’s government to try and fight back against the Turks, according to National Review.
- There has been a bipartisan agreement from party leaders such as Chuck Schummer to Mitch Mcconnell that pulling out was a mistake. This will be the 8th time the US has backstabbed the Kurds, according to The Intercept.
The sanctions will include blocking of entry into the US, the blocking of property, and financial sanctions.
