US Welcomes German Plan for Syria, Won’t Take Part

In a move intended to do an end-around the much criticized Turkish invasion of northeast Syria, Germany offered a proposal at a NATO meeting, suggesting that NATO just take over that Syria safe zone as an alliance.

The proposal would get NATO forces tangled up in the Turkey-Syria border situation, though maybe with an eye on undercutting Russia’s deal-making with Turkey, a NATO member at any rate. It’s a big commitment for NATO well outside their sphere of interest and seemingly just to spite Turkey, who many other NATO members have been criticizing.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he “welcomes” the proposal, though cautioning that the alliance would need to be aware of all parties on the ground, which includes Russia.

US officials also endorsed the idea, with Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison saying it is a “positive” idea. She added that while the US likes NATO committing to northeast Syria, the US would not be playing a role there.