Behind Turkey’s Actions in Syria: A Fear of Waning Influence

The Turkish offensive against the Kurds that has brought Turkey to the brink of conflict with the U.S. comes as the country is fighting to preserve its leverage in a fractured Syria.

Ankara has much to be concerned about. The Syrian Kurds, allied with the U.S., have been expanding their presence on Turkey’s border. Russia and Iran, allied with Syria’s Assad regime, have been making deep inroads in Syria. And the Syrian rebels allied with Turkey appear to be losing their fight in a final stand in northwestern Syria.