By James M. Dorsey
US President Donald J. Trump had a stinging message for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu when he heaped praise on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week in the visiting Israeli leader’s presence.
Mr. Trump’s praise turned Mr. Netanyahu’s portrayal of the two men’s discussion of Turkey upside down.
With his praise, Mr. Trump rejected, by implication, the prime minister’s request for US support in countering Turkish influence in Syria, particularly Turkish plans to establish one or more military bases in the country as part of a defense pact that is under negotiation.
Potentially, the repercussions of Mr. Trump’s putting Mr. Netanyahu in his place could be felt far beyond Syria.
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