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Turkey

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Turkey is going to be looking after its own self-interests. Some observers believe that Turkey is going to sit back and see how things play out. Where it is possible Turkey will try and influence the situation to their benefit.

Kurdish Problem. The Turks are very nervous about the Kurds in their country. Their view on ISIS is modified by the realities of the Kurdish problem within their own country.

Assad Regime. The Turks are very intent on the toppling of the Assad regime. For this reason they may wish to see ISIS succeed in attacking the Sryian forces. However, it does not necessarily like ISIS.

Complex Middle East Relationships. Turkey has a variety of relationships that affect its stance on ISIS. It supports Islamic groups fighting Bashar al-Assad of Syria, is in a proxy war with Iran (who supports Assad), is on unfriendly terms with Baghdad due to its support of Sunni's fighting in Iraq, at odds with Egypt due to its support of the Moslem Brotherhood rule in 2012-2013, and, of course, there is the Kurdish issue.

NATO Member. Turkey is a member of NATO and has participated in the Afghan War as a troop contributing nation. In fact, for a number of years it has held the leadership role in command of the capital region - Kabul area.

Incirlik Air Base. The United States has an airbase in Turkey - the primary purpose was to provide a launch site against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The air base was used by the United States during Desert Storm - over 100 aircraft conducted bombing mission over northern Iraq. It later was a staging base for Provide Comfort - the relief effort for the Kurds. Some observers, looking at the unreliability of Turkey, suggest moving Incirlik Air Base from Turkey to Kurdistan in northern Iraq. ^1.

News Reports about Turkey and ISIS

June 17, 2014. "Turkey's Support for ISIS Islamist Terrorists". Middle East Forum.

Endnotes

1. See "Our Non-Ally in Ankara", The Wall Street Journal, September 15, 2014 here.