'US-Backed Terrorists' is a Flexible Term, Apparently
Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan issued a stern warning to 'US-backed terrorists' in Syria, demanding they 'step back.' The 'terrorists' Fidan refers to are the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its YPG (Kurdish People's Protection Units) component—groups the US military has supplied with weapons, training, and air support since 2014, ostensibly to fight ISIS. This dual-naming strategy by
Ankara allows for a convenient narrative shift, painting US allies as enemies when their autonomous aspirations conflict with Turkish interests. While NATO-ally Türkiye (and Russia) repeatedly bombs these 'terrorists,' D.C. continues to fund them. One might wonder if the US definition of 'terrorist' changes depending on who's signing the checks or whose geopolitical convenience is being served.
The irony, of course, is that yesterday's 'partner forces' are today's 'terrorists' when it suits an agenda, a diplomatic parlor trick as old as Henry Kissinger's playbook.