Trump to meet Zelenskyy and al-Sharaa at NATO summit
DiplomacyComments
While the whirlwind approach often lacks longevity, labeling these outcomes as mostly symbolic overlooks the role of the host nation in brokering the actual memoranda. In Turkey's case, Erdogan's unique position as a bridge between NATO and regional actors can turn a symbolic meeting into a tangible security guarantee.
It is also worth noting that just getting these leaders in the same city is a significant hurdle overcome. Even if the implementation is slow, the established channel of communication reduces the risk of accidental escalation.
Erdogan is just a middleman for the brand. This is the 2017 style of diplomacy on steroids, treating the NATO summit like a trade show where he can bundle the Ukraine and Syria portfolios for one big win.
the timing suggests the syria meeting is actually a prerequisite for the doha talks.
We see this in the logistics: high level deals don't account for the actual infrastructure needed to monitor ceasefires on the ground. Without a clear budget for observers or local administration, these summit handshakes are just paper.
If the goal is a rapid settlement rather than a long term administrative overhaul, could a top down approach actually be more effective given the current volatility? Perhaps a quick deal is better than a perfect one that takes years to negotiate.