Reducing Risks in Turkey's Neighborhood

BRUSSELS – On March 7th, an extraordinary but little noticed meeting took place in Antalya in southern Turkey. That day, the military chiefs of staff of Turkey, the United States, and Russia met to discuss their operations across the border in Syria, where forces from all three countries, plus various militia groups, are operating in close proximity. However, the meeting does not imply a common strategy toward the defeat of the self-proclaimed Islamic State group, much less a concerted approach to the future of Syria. Rather it signals a common understanding of the critical importance of risk reduction as competing actors address the protracted chaos in Turkey's neighborhood. The remarkable gathering also underscores Turkey's obvious central importance as a partner — and a key stakeholder — in managing the most pressing challenges on Europe's periphery.