Hale tvrdi da je turska država provela zadnje godine gajeći radne odnose sa sirijskim predsjednikom Basharom al-Assadom i sad bi okretanje od njega dovelo do poteškoća, posebno zato što nije jasno da li će on uskoro napuštati funkciju ili ne.
Hale argues the Turkish state has spent the last years cultivating a working relationship with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and turning against him now would create difficulties, particularly since it is unclear that he'll be leaving office any time soon.