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Intel: How Trump’s choice as envoy to Turkey could complicate US Syria policy
The Donald Trump administration’s announcement that it plans to nominate veteran diplomat David Satterfield as ambassador to Turkey could shake up US policy in Syria.
- Al-Monitor
The post has sat vacant for more than a year as relations between Washington and Ankara have deteriorated over the Pentagon’s backing of a Syrian Kurdish group in the fight against the Islamic State.
Why it matters: Satterfield’s confirmation could pit two influential diplomats against each other as the Trump administration tries to hammer out a deal — with or without Turkey — to establish a safe zone to protect the…