When we ponder why Trump acts as he does w/ Erdogan, consider this: their bond (whatever it is) is stronger than major regional conflicts.
Erdogan is aligned w/ Qatar, which was blockaded by KSA. Erdogan is aligned with Muslim Brotherhood, which is despised by Gulf Arab regimes. Erdogan ‘outed’ MBS over Kashoggi’s murder; the Saudis want payback. Net net, Erdogan is PNG in the Gulf and that’s hit Turkey’s economy.
Erdogan helped Iran reap 100’s of billions in evading U.S. sanctions (the Zarrab and Halkbank cases), again putting him at odds w/ KSA (and Israel).
Erdogan’s invasion of NE Syria (countenanced by Trump) was strongly opposed by KSA and other Arab States.
Yet Trump’s close ties to the Saudi regime seem not to complicate his relations w/ Erdogan. Why ?
Preserving the NATO relationship w/ Turkey seems an unlikely motive, given Trump’s hostility to NATO.
None of the possible motivations for the Trump-Erdogan relationship that have been advanced so far answer the riddle. I have speculated that the Trump-Putin relationship is somehow at play. Knowing Trump, money (big money) is probably also a factor. An answer is needed. End.
