A couple of things ....
Turkey's move does not appear to be that of a pawn or a rook. I think they did this independently - to secure their interests. IMO, Washington has not reassured them about the Kurds and is probably playing a double game. Also, they probably asked for the oil-rich areas and did not like the reply they got. Good for Turkey.
Right now the US needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the US. So, the Turks should ask for and get - forgiveness of the $5 billion military debt, the Mosul, etc, and absolute guarantees about the Kurds. A lot of foreign aid and goodies should be thrown in for good measure.
Turkey is the only Muslim country whose history and culture I like. I've been reading a "Peace to End All Peace" and absolutely love the Turks in it. Especially, all the Europeans that assumed the Turks were dim-witted only to be completely bamboozled by them.
BTW, the British, who faced both the Turks and the Germans, thought the Turks were tougher. "Absolutely splendid with his back to the wall."
Don't be offended by the Freeper who refered to Turkey as a pawn. In chess, the first offensive move usually involves a pawn taking control of the center of the board.
Don't be offended by the Freeper who refered to Turkey as a pawn. In chess, the first offensive move usually involves a pawn taking control of the center of the board.No way, I was not offended. The pawn game was played a decade ago though. Plus this is an airport surrounded by other bases. Rook - yet perhaps neither white nor black. Time will tell.