Prospects for Turkey-U.S. Relations in the Context of the Syrian Civil War

The Polish Institute of International Affairs is an analytical institution established by an act of Parliament in 1996 to carry out research and provide expertise in international affairs. PISM disseminates information on contemporary international issues and maintains contacts with academic and political centres in Poland and abroad. The Institute runs courses for public servants, maintains a library (open to the public; 165,000 books and journals), organises conferences, and publishes books, periodicals and documents on Polish foreign policy and international matters.

The funding for PISM comes from the budget. The director is appointed by the prime minister for a term of five years, following consultation with the minister of foreign affairs. The minister supervises the Institute and appoints its advisory council, which includes a representative of the President of the Republic of Poland, academics and officials.Turkey hoped for an improvement in its relations with the United States during Donald Trump’s presidency. The intensive political dialogue between the two allies suggested that the U.S. also wished for that. However, their different approaches to the Syrian civil war might be a serious obstacle to reach that aim. A lack of understanding on that issue might induce Turkey’s actions, which would complicate the fight against the Islamic State. In the longer-term perspective, it might also strengthen anti-Western sentiments in Turkey and weaken the country’s engagement in NATO.