Former U.S. Military Attaché Richard Outzen: "Turkey will launch an operation in Syria"

Washington, D.C, District of Columbia Jul 5, 2022 (Issuewire.com) - Former Pentagon Official Outzen stated that he had been concerned about the US' remarks regarding protecting stability in the region. He emphasized that there was no stability whatsoever. Outzen said, 'I see that we're no closer to reaching a final solution in Syria. Like the US, we prioritize our own interests.'

He also stated, 'US soldiers continue to operate on the east side of the Euphrates, and they continue to conduct anti-DEASH operations, albeit on a small scale. Of course, the US works with PKK off-shoot YPG in the region, and this is something that Turkey objects to.'

Atlantic Council Non Resident Fellow Outzen warned that 'a Turkish operation on the eastern bank of the Euphrates will be dangerous for the US as well.' He said that the US 'might have told Turkey that a small military operation might be acceptable.' 'The US won't give a major reaction to a small operation targeting Tal Rifat and Menbij,' he said.Outzen emphasized that the US, Turkey, and European Allies must continue to implement sanctions and 'prevent a new refugee wave and increase the pressure on Assad.'

Outzen: "The United States must follow a balanced policy with Turkey and Greece."

Former Pentagon Official Outzen said that there was an idea that the closer the US was to an ally, the more stable they would become. He underlined that Greece has specific hypotheses that cross the line. Outzen said that Greece definitely couldn't be an alternative to Turkey, reminding that Turkey was much bigger than Greece in a geographic and strategic location.

'If the US wants stability, then it must follow a balanced policy between Turkey and Greece, and it must mediate,' said Outzen, adding that in both countries, US ambassadors would share US policies with the public in a positive light.

Former Pentagon Official Outzen also said that Turkey's' concerns about Sweden and Finland's NATO bids were justifiable. Stating that Turkey manufactures about 70 percent of its own needs in the defense industry, Outzen said it is challenging to sell sizeable military ammunition to Turkey in this environment.Lastly, Outzen stated that there is still a problem in the US Congress, but the situation is not entirely hopeless.

Colonel Rich Outzen (Ret.) is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council in Turkey and a geopolitical analyst and consultant currently serving private sector clients as Dragoman LLC. His military service has also included tours in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and on the Joint Staff, and service as military attaché in Afghanistan and Israel.

Ali Cinar is a journalist based in Washington, DC. He represents Ciner Media US Group(Haberturk TV and Bloomberg HT). Ali Cinar was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and was the youngest Turkish American to receive this award in over 30 years. He is a Ph.D. candidate in Communication at Liberty University,