Turkey Invades Syria

Late this weekend, the White House announced that U.S. armed forces will leave the war-torn region of Northeastern Syria in order to make way for Turkish occupation. The move came suddenly after a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and the President of Turkey, Recep Erdogan.

Instructors, click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.

Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for Turkey Invades Syria

Links

“US to step aside for Turkish assault on Kurdish in Syria”
https://www.apnews.com/1517087f2d3b4f6685fc9802bce370e6

“Turkey determined to clear out terrorists in Syria”
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-determined-to-clear-out-terrorists-in-syria/160527

“Trump threatens to punish Turkey if it does anything ‘off limits’”
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/464656-trump-threatens-to-punish-turkey-if-it-does-anything-off-limits

“‘Unacceptable’: US warns Turkey of operation in northern Syria”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/warns-turkey-operation-northern-syria-190806102918350.html

“Kurds protest in Syria against Turkish offensive threat”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1509471

“UPDATE 1 – Fearing Islamic State revival, France warns U.S., Turkey after Syria moves”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/1-fearing-islamic-state-revival-163635115.html

“Donald Trump risks opening a new front in Syria”
https://www.ft.com/content/2b4158fc-e8fb-11e9-85f4-d00e5018f061

Assessment

Writing: Describe the historic events that have descended the region into conflict. Name the key alliances and motivations that led the U.S. to leave the region.
Debate: The decision to remove U.S. troops from Syria will result in regional destabilization.
Poll: Do you think removing U.S. forces in the region without an exit strategy will cause more harm than good?
Short Answer: What are the White House’s suspected motives behind this sudden policy move?

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