Turkey Readies for Action as US Talks on Syria Safe Zone Struggle

Turkey Readies for Action as US Talks on Syria Safe Zone Struggle
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan announces the new ministers of his cabinet during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey on July 9, 2018. Stringer/Getty Images
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ANKARA, Turkey—Deep differences between Turkey and the United States over the scope and command of a planned “safe zone” in northeast Syria raise the prospect of Turkish military action unless the two countries break months of deadlock in talks this week.

Turkey has twice sent troops into northern Syria in the last three years and President Tayyip Erdogan said on Aug. 4 a third incursion was imminent, targeting Kurdish-controlled territory east of the Euphrates river.