Re: “Pentagon selects first 400 Syrians to be trained to fight Islamic State” (thenewstribune.com, 3-27).
This article highlights an important partnership between the United States and Turkey as both work toward stability in the Middle East. However, it is critical that this joint training of Syrian rebels to fight the forces attempting to tear the country apart is the first step – and not the only step – in a long-term endeavor.
Without a comprehensive plan that addresses both the Islamic State and the Assad regime, achieving lasting peace in Syria will not be possible.
Turkey has long been an important U.S. ally in the region on everything from counterterrorism efforts to NATO operations and is at the front lines of this conflict. While this partnership is taking a step in the right direction, the U.S. must work with Turkey to end the crisis in Syria and achieve lasting stability throughout the region.
(Danismaz is president of the Turkish Heritage Organization.)
