In a recent press briefing, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu insisted Turkey had never advocated military intervention in Syria. But reading between the lines, what was clear from Davutoğlu’s statements was that Ankara had shifted its policy on Syria to reflect Washington’s. There is little support for Turkey’s unabashed campaign to overthrow Assad even among Erdoğan’s core base, and without U.S. intervention, the battle against Assad cannot be won anytime soon. Turkey’s best option is for a deal to be reached in upcoming talks in Geneva.
