US researchers caution that Turkey is a safe sanctuary for ISIS, and targets Syrian civilians

Criticism of Turkish behaviors is escalating, especially in the USA, in an article written by three American researchers who assert that Turkey is an unreliable ally that US must be wary of, they accuse Turkey of providing a safe sanctuary for the terrorist organization ISIS, in addition to its aggressive attacks on Syria.
The article was published in the American magazine The Hill, was written by political analyst at the American Cato Institute, Jordan Cohen, who holds a doctorate in political science from George Mason University, in collaboration with his colleagues Jonathan Ellis Allen and Nardine Massad.
Attacks against civilians in Syria
Turkey is acting against US aims, the researchers say, explaining that with the outbreak of the war between Gaza and Israel, Turkey has intensified its attacks against civilians in NES, these attacks are the latest example of how Turkey’s hostile behavior has led to tensions between Ankara and Washington.
However, the US continues to send weapons and security assistance to NATO ally Turkey, hoping that such assurances and arms sales will provide leverage over Ankara. Unfortunately, US support for the Turks is moving in the opposite direction, not increasing US influence, and also destabilizing the Middle East—an issue that Washington seems unable to ignore.
Assistance provided to Russia, Hamas, and ISIS
Turkey is doing other actions that anger Washington, such as helping Russia avoid sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, so the Turkish State often acts in ways that go against US interests, the researchers say. Giving that Turkey harming America’s interests as well as its goals, by acting as a major center, funding arms for the Palestinian Hamas movement alongside Russia, also allowing ISIS in Turkey to operate, and hosting Muslim Brotherhood fleeing Egypt. In addition, its aggressive attacks in Syria which endangering the lives of US forces.
They also pointed to Turkey’s procrastination in approving Sweden’s membership in NATO, which happened before regarding its approval of Finland’s membership, coupled with its acquisition of US weapons and military systems, that Ankara almost turned NATO upside down, when it hinted at the possibility of invading Greece.
Tariq al-Bardisi, an expert in international relations, told Target Media Platform that the US has not been seriously concerned about the issue of counter-terrorism recently, but has become preoccupied with other issues, and files such as the situation in Gaza and the Ukraine war.
Al-Bardisi also noted that the US employs the counter-terrorism issue for certain political objectives, evident in its stance towards Turkey’s actions in the NES regions. The US administration perceives a current need for Ankara, particularly amidst ongoing changes in the Middle East, the Gaza Strip, and the political conflicts with Moscow.
Al-Bardisi stressed that the Turkish strikes on NES have significant negative repercussions on counter-terrorism efforts, that allow reviving the activity of terrorist organizations in those areas, but this matter is not in the mind of the Joe Biden administration at the moment.
The reasons for Washington’s silence.
Returning to the article published on The Hill, the American researchers confirm that despite these disputes, the US continues to engage in intensive economic cooperation, providing humanitarian aid, as well as approving arms sales and security assistance estimated at $478 billion since President Biden took office. They explained that the US policymakers are so focused on maintaining all alliances -especially with NATO member states, that Washington has accepted Ankara’s actions, even those that directly conflict with its interests.
In conclusion, they stressed that it has become clear that Turkey is a risky partner who often ignores US interests, and then asks for help to obtain US weapons, they noted that the Cato Institute’s Arms Sales Risk Index ranks Turkey as one of the 15 most dangerous recipients of US weapons.
Oscillating relationships
Regarding these disputes, Dr. Mac Sharqawi, an American political analyst, stated on Target Media Platform; that the US has shaky relations with Turkey, especially since former US President Donald Trump armed the SDF, which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan considers as enemy.
Sharqawi explained that Washington deals with the Kurds as one of the Syrian components, Erdogan’s invasions in North Syria affect the stability of Syria, and the Middle East in a way that threatens US interests in the region, in addition to the Turkish state’s targeting of countries allied with America in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea region such as Greece, as well as Cyprus.
He highlighted that Turkey’s deployment of over 20,000 mercenaries in Libya contributes to the current tensions, with Americans not forgetting Turkish support for Russia, including the supply of drones used in the Ukraine conflict. The Turkish president appears to be shifting his positions from the far right to the far left, reflected in Ankara’s stance on Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership, as well as its position on the Gaza war.
He also referred that the US Freedom Report considers Turkey one of the most dangerous places in terms of freedoms, enforced disappearance, and dictatorship, especially after the amendment of the constitution, which made Erdogan control all authorities in the state, in addition to arresting journalists, as well as Turkey is among the most dangerous recipients of American weapons, this is why we see a degree of fluctuation and confusion in relations.
Regarding this tension, the American political analyst stated that we should anticipate developments, especially Turkey’s hosting of members of the Muslim Brotherhood and leaders of the Palestinian Hamas movement. He pointed out that there are many contradictions between Ankara and Washington in the recent period.
It is worth noting that a US Treasury official visited Turkey weeks ago, aiming to encourage adherence to sanctions imposed on Russia, preventing Moscow from evading them. The official also urged Turkey to intensify its efforts in combating terrorism. This visit occurred amidst ongoing criticism from the US regarding Ankara’s stance on these two sensitive issues.