Arizona war expert concerned Russia-Turkey tensions could escalate war in Syria
Nov 25, 2015, 5:23 PM
In this file photo taken on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, Syrian soldiers waving Syrian flags celebrate the capture of Achan, Hama province, Syria. (Alexander Kots/Komsomolskaya Pravda via AP, File)
(Alexander Kots/Komsomolskaya Pravda via AP, File)
PHOENIX — War experts in Arizona are worried about the global impact of Turkey shooting down a Russian warplane.
If the clash between Russia and Turkey escalates, the world could see a global conflict, according to Arizona State University’s Center on the Future of War co-director Daniel Rothenburg.
The expert on international conflict said the tensions between the two countries demonstrated a possibility for the war in Syria to spiral into a multinational conflict.
“Hopefully we will not see an escalation of conflict between Russia and Turkey,” Rothenburg said. “That would not bode well for the region; That would not bode well for the world.”
Rothenburg said he believes military leaders in the United States need to realize they cannot solve the crisis in the Middle East alone. He said it will take global cooperation to keep the region from becoming even more unstable.
“I totally wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that this is the start of World War III but there is every reason to be enormously concerned about the situation is Syria and where it is going,” he said.
