Turkey experienced one of the first of what may be many setbacks on Tuesday in proving their regional clout in the midst of brokering peace between Israel and Syria. As a result of the alleged US air raid across the Iraqi-Syrian border, the world audience, and specifically the EU and UN, is putting question marks on Turkey’s ability to muster enough authority in the region to create a more stable relationship between rivals Israel and Syria.

Damascus has accused Washington of leading a US military helicopter launch on Syrian territory and killing eight people. In response, US officials have stated that the forces were targeting a base giving refuge to a number of insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda, helping Iraqi rebels against the US army in Iraq. According to senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the director of its Turkish Research Program, Soner Çağaptay, the current circumstances will not bolster US participation in the talks. “But under the current circumstances I don’t believe that a country accused by Washington of undermining its interests will be offered a grand bargain.”

Turkey has hosted leaders from both countries in multiple rounds of negotiations which were previously halted by former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert’s resignation and will continue to be hampered by the US attack on Syria. While the United States’ role is key in smoothing out relations between the two countries, the situation will serve as Turkey’s first test as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Adam Hazzout

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