Kristin Helberg, a featured Mideast analyst with a number of European publications. She says: "With his plan for north-eastern Syria, Putin has made both Erdogan and Assad happy. It’s the Kurds who are paying the price.”

 

 

Alan Posener, a regular commentator for the Berlin-based daily Die Welt, who argues: "Russia and Iran have already won the struggle for Syria. Now it’s important for the West not to lose Turkey.”

 

 

 

Cagir Özdemir from DW’s Turkish Department. He believes: “Turkey's only game in Syria now is to contain the perceived security threats and help Assad remain in power.“