Speaking to Strategic Council Online, Siamak Kakaei said:” Part of the issues has led to differences between the two countries. To have a clear picture and analysis, one should look back to Obama period.

He continues:” Especially when the Turkish (foreign) policy changed in Syria, and Ankara included a continuous military plan in relation with Syria in her agenda, the differences were exacerbated and kept on during President Donald Trump.

Having pointed out at the diverging position of the US and Turkey on Syria, Kakaeie said:” The US has supported the Syrian Kurds in last few years. This is seen by Turkey as a threat against her national interests and security; because Turkish officials in general, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in particular, are strongly concerned about the escalation of Kurds’ movements in Syria and increasing their demands towards establishment of a Kurdish authority”.

Having stressed that Turkey believes the Syrian Kurds supported by the US, are PKK protégé and their activities have increased in the North of Syria, Kakaei added:” Ankara underscores that the present US policy is in contradiction with the previous one which considered PKK as a terrorist group”.

The expert continued:” therefore, since 2018 and after the activities of Kurdish groups increased in Syria and taking the control of some regions in the North East and the North West of Syria which were controlled by Kurd groups such as PYD, Union Democratic Party, paralleled with the US increasing support extended to these groups, Ankara was strongly concerned and thus, launched direct military interference in Syria”.

The Turkish expert explained:” Turkish military expedition to Effrin that led to the seizure of the important Kurdish region in 2018, military expedition to the North East of Syria and occupation of regions like Raas-el-Ein and Talle Abyaz, seizure of an area with 100 KMs length and 35 KMs depth into the North of Syria in 2019, the continuous Turkish military presence in the Northern parts of Syria have practically increased the concerns about the Turkish policies in the North of Syria”.

Having quoted the expert, meanwhile, the US is present in parts of the North of Syria controlled by Kurds. This is the case while the Syrian government protests against the Turkish and the US policy in the Northern parts of the country.

The Turkish expert pointed out taking office of Joe Biden and its consequences on the relations between Turkey and the US and said:” Now, once again the Turkish concerns about the supporting policies of the US to Syrian Kurds have increased, especially in political behavior of Joe Biden, a kind of support to Kurdish issue could be traced”.

Kakaei emphasized that:” Turkey is, in particular, concerned about the Kurdish issue in Syria, the impacts on its internal affairs and American publicity”.

The analyst said:” another serious challenge between Ankara and Washington intensified during Biden administration, is the Turkish plan to acquire and station S-400 missile system from Russia. He added:” In order to deprive Turkey from furthering her relations with Russia, the US has excluded Turkey from the manufacturing of parts as well as purchase of F-35 fighters”.

Kakaei argued that the (main) concern of the US and NATO about furthering military relations between Turkey and Russia is the Russian access to NATO missile and security information. He added that:” Turkey continues to stress the acquirement of S-400 missile system within her independent policy and also making balance in her relations with Russia and the West. The issue is still considered as a serious challenge in relations between Ankara and Washington”.

Kakaei said Turkish policy in Eastern Mediterranean is among the issues that have led to challenge in relations between Ankara and European capitals as well as Eastern Mediterranean countries. He added the issue has not been neglected by the US.

Kakaei also said that critical non-obedience of Ankara towards the policies of the White House on the US sanctions against Islamic Republic of Iran was among the controversial issues between Turkey and the US within the past few years.

He continued:” It seems that there have been concerns among Turkish officials ever since democrats took office in the US. In particular, ambiguities about the US policies on Syria have fanned concerns in Ankara.

He added that:” Turkish adventurism in the region, from Syria to Iraq and Western Mediterranean as well as increasing military cooperation between Ankara and Moscow have been noticed by Washington that has caused lukewarm relations”.

To conclude, Kakaei pointed out the meeting between the US President Joe Biden and Erdogan on June 14, 2021 on the sidelines of NATO Summit and emphasized that diverging issues between the two sides, would cast strong shadow on the first meeting of Presidents of the United Stated of America and Turkey.