The peace corridor. Erdogan wanted to use U.S. forces to help Turkey's military establish a 'safe zone' that was to harden into a Turkish annexation of Syrian territory. Erdogan lost his temper when the Trump administration dragged its feet about setting up the safe zone. The upshot was an unpleasant phone conversation with Trump -- on Sunday, I think this was -- which culminated in Trump telling Erdogan, in effect, that Turkey could do what it pleased, but don't include the U.S.
This means Trump removed Erdogan's cover for the stealth annexation of Syrian land, which only further infuriated Turkey's President.
The American War Party is also furious about this turn of events, although they haven't been frank about why they're furious.
We'll see if Trump stays the course under the onslaught of outraged opinion.
As to his threat to obliterate Turkey's economy if the Turkish military attacks Syrian Kurds, he may have walked back the threat a bit, but my suggestion would be to remove U.S. nukes from Incirlik BEFORE obliterating the economy.
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