Trump returns to Syria - Putin is still the 'master' in the Middle East?

The latest policy reversal reflects concerns within the Pentagon that a US troop withdrawal would be a “gift” to Russia and Iran.

Syria has become a place for Russia and the US to demonstrate opposing policies. Illustrative photo

As usual, US President Donald Trump did not hide the reason why the US decided to stay: “We are keeping the oil there. I always say, keep and control the oil. We want to keep $45 million of oil a month. Keeping and control the oil is our strategy.”

Public opinion has long understood that controlling and dominating oil resources in the Middle East and globally is the driving force behind Washington’s aggressive policies. Experts say the US has been and continues to use oil to exert influence and pressure on China and other developing countries. Washington will therefore never leave the oil-rich Middle East.

No other US President has made such bold and direct statements and attitudes as Donald Trump. However, on the other hand, Trump always reveals the naked truth to the world by speaking his mind freely. This is very different from former President Barack Obama and his predecessors. Even Syrian President Bashar al Assad commented in a recent interview with NBC News that Trump is the best US President ever; not because of his policies but because of his transparency and clarity.

But for Turkey, Ankara’s concern is that President Trump may invite Ferhat Abdi Sahin, the leader of the PKK terrorist organization in Syria, to Washington; and is expected to allow the group to support the US in selling oil. In fact, Washington has made a mistake by delivering thousands of trucks and weapons to the PKK in Syria. Turkey’s military offensive in northern Syria, dubbed Operation Peace Spring, has dealt a heavy blow to the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the PKK’s Syrian branch. Türkiye is expected to continue hunting for this leader and take action within its power to eliminate the YPG.

Meanwhile, PKK fighters in Syria will pursue a strategy of appeasing the United States while “making peace” with Russia and the Assad regime, as Washington continues to protect the YPG. But it is clear that oil revenues will not be enough for the United States to legitimize the YPG. Washington cannot protect the group on the ground. Meanwhile, the Arab world is trying to cope with the uncertainty and inconsistency in the Middle East policy of its ally, the United States. At the same time, Arab countries continue to move toward a deal with Iran, with Russia as the mediator.

With recent developments, although Mr. Donald Trump considers himself a master of the art of deals, it seems that Russian President Vladimir Putin is really controlling the deals in the Middle East.

In the latest development, at a press conference with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Budapest, Mr. Putin said that Russia will maintain close relations with Syria's Jewish community, and even help restore synagogues.

According to observers, President Putin’s approval of the rescue of the Jews in Syria will be a step to prevent the US from returning to Syria. In fact, the issue of Jews in Syria has become part of Russia’s effective religious diplomacy in recent times. And ironically, the US government also has to rely on Russia to prevent “uncontrollable” moves by Türkiye and other allies in the region.