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The Real Reason Turkey Is Fighting ISIL

TheRealReasonTurkeyIsFightingISIL

By experts and staff

Published
  • Steven A. CookCFR Expert
    Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies

This article originally appeared here on Politico.com on Friday, August 21, 2015.

It’s hard to believe that Erdogan took a fresh look at what was happening in Syria and Iraq and came to the conclusion that joining the American-led fight against the Islamic State was in Turkey’s national interest. The prevailing theory among Turkey watchers instead is this: Ankara agreed to fight against the Islamic State so America would allow it to attack the Kurds (who are also at war with ISIL) and thereby improve the AKP’s political prospects in parliamentary elections that will be scheduled for the fall.

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