Back to Square One? US Puts Forward a New Offer to the SDF

These were the days when attempts were being made to establish a terrorist corridor in northern Syria. Right on our border, the terrorist groups Daesh and the PKK/YPG were active. Washington had handed over regional security policy to CENTCOM, while the State Department and U.S. intelligence agencies were barely visible. CENTCOM had even brought the YPG into the coalition as a partner, openly supporting them.

This has been the single most contentious issue in Turkish-American relations in recent years: Washington’s cooperation with the terrorist YPG/PKK. Perhaps hundreds of meetings have been held between Ankara and Washington on the matter. Yet the Americans defended their position as if mocking our intelligence, while working to block Türkiye’s potential operations in Syria. They failed.

Their dream was to establish a terrorist corridor—a statelet—stretching from along Türkiye’s border to the Mediterranean. But that dream collapsed. Sequential Turkish operations in northern Syria, carried out despite U.S. objections, broke the corridor apart.

Developments That Shifted the Regional Equation

Much has happened since. During Trump’s first term, the U.S. began shifting its regional perspective—reducing its footprint in the Middle East, building an architecture centered on Israel’s security, and turning attention toward China. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Washington-Ankara traffic increased under Biden. The Gaza war after October 7, 2023, shook the regional balance deeply. In early March 2024, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın visited Washington, where I believe several regional issues were addressed in detail.

The turning point came with Trump’s return to power, as he advocated U.S. withdrawal from Syria. Upon taking office, Trump declared, “The key to Syria is in Türkiye’s hands,” signaling he would handle the Syria file in coordination with Ankara. He appointed Ambassador Barrack as Special Envoy to Syria. Barrack met with Syrian President Shara in Riyadh, lifted sanctions, and issued statements stressing Syria’s territorial integrity. The expectation was that Washington would maintain this Ankara-centered approach to Syria.

Israel’s “David Corridor” Dream

The critical factor to recognize is Israel’s sharp influence on U.S. policy. Israel opposed Washington working with Ankara on Syria. Using its lobbying power, it first closed gaps with Washington on Iran and then pushed Trump toward confrontation. This led to the 12-Day War in June. Weeks later, Israel turned its focus to Syria. The July Suwayda incidents, sparked by the kidnapping of a Druze businessman, bore all the hallmarks of an intelligence operation. Druze separatist groups and other small factions in the region have long been supported by Israel.

Israel’s vision of carving Syria into four and creating a so-called “David Corridor” advanced with the Suwayda events, which helped push for the disarmament of southern Syria and caused rifts within the SDF. The map of the corridor—stretching from the Golan Heights to Iraq—has been analyzed in detail by Special Eurasia, showing the resources Israel aimed to control.

CENTCOM In, Barrack Out

Several developments show Israel now steering U.S. policy in Syria. CENTCOM’s YPG-friendly commander Kurilla was replaced by Admiral Brad Cooper, who promptly met with Mazlum Abdi in Syria. CENTCOM appears to be reclaiming the lead, while Barrack is stepping back. He has even shifted his language, now speaking of “something short of a federation” for Syria.

According to The National, Washington recently offered the SDF a deal: partially integrate into the Syrian army but keep your weapons. Such a proposal is unacceptable for Türkiye.

Watching the New York Agreement

In exchange, the SDF was told to give up its control over Arab-majority territories and oil fields. They were also warned: “Israel cannot protect two minorities at once, and Druze will always take priority.”

Reports suggest Syria and Israel will sign an agreement in New York later this month under Trump’s mediation. Lower-level talks have already been underway. Progress seems to have been made, as (according to Kan News) foreign ministers will soon meet to prepare the ground. A deal on border security between the two countries would also signal the direction of the SDF’s future. With CENTCOM steering policy again, the trajectory is clear—bringing us back full circle with U.S. involvement.