'I've been wandering through a minefield, thinking it was love' *

Tayyip Erdoğan went to America for the UN General Assembly, and just like that, the compass of the agenda shifted.

He had been looking for an opportunity to have a one-on-one meeting with Trump for a long time.

He finally got his wish.

Unless an act of God intervenes, the reunion will take place at the White House on September 25.

We learned what would be discussed inside from Özgür Özel.

Let us open a brief parenthesis here.

Let us underline with a thick pen that intelligence regarding the meeting held with 'Little Trump' in Istanbul, along with its content, reached the CHP. It is said that this leaked from within the AKP, but it is highly probable that it came from the Americans.

If so, it means there is an unofficial channel extending from Washington to the CHP. If the Americans intended to tell the CHP about the background and details of a visit that is of critical importance to Tayyip Erdoğan, then we need to sit down and think about this separately.

Furthermore, stepping outside conventional diplomacy and having Trump Jr. involved suggests that some behind-the-scenes dealings will take place during Tayyip Erdoğan's visit. Once it leaks to the American press, the truth will come out. We will learn about it then.

Let's close the parenthesis and continue.

As far as we understand, Turkey's purchase of a substantial amount of Boeing aircraft, the resolution of the F-16 issue, and negotiations for a return to the F-35 project will be on the table. And, of course, the S-400 issue... The files are thick.

What will Trump want? There is no official statement, and rumors vary.

He might say, "Give me the rare earth elements in Beylikova, Eskişehir." The loose-lipped ambassador in Ankara had already fired the flare earlier.

Trump loves these kinds of deals.

After all, he is a businessman. When money is involved, everything else comes to a standstill.

Knowing this, Tayyip Erdoğan made a nice gesture before setting off by lifting additional tariffs on certain products imported from America.

Let's pause here and ask: When did Turkey start imposing additional tariffs on America?

After Trump imposed a 50 percent additional tariff on steel and 25 percent on aluminum originating from Turkey in 2018 to force the release of Pastor Brunson.

Well, did Trump lift the additional tariffs he imposed to hurt Turkey?

No. They all remain exactly as they were.

In other words, there is more of a step backward taken by Turkey than a gesture. Yet, these tariffs should have been mutually lifted for us to think that relations were gaining momentum.

However, the meeting will not just be a 'give and take' in terms of trade.

It is already impossible for Tayyip Erdoğan to negotiate while safeguarding the supreme interests of the country. He will give whatever Trump wants; let no one have any doubt about that.

The whole issue is how this will be sold to the people of our country.

His priority is his own future and that of his government. A single photo taken at the White House, a few sentences spoken together during a live broadcast, a word or two of praise from Trump... 

As long as it creates a 'World Leader' image that can be polished domestically.

He knows very well that all of this signifies an 'endorsement' for the continuation of his rule.

He needs this desperately; if everything goes as he wishes, he will exploit it to the fullest at home.

But what if things go wrong? Don't say 'no, that won't happen,' because they could...

Tayyip Erdoğan will be, so to speak, in a minefield in America.

We don't know how aware he is of this. If he is aware, it means he is in a much tighter spot than what we see and know domestically.

He is taking this risk to overcome the deadlock caused by the economic crisis, the Kurdish issue, constitutional changes, and developments in Syria. Perhaps he thinks he doesn't have much time left.

Let us try to explain it as best we can.

Saying 'It's Trump, he can do whatever he wants' is not just empty talk. For instance, he considers it a skill to put on a show in front of cameras, corner his guests, and humiliate them if they are someone he dislikes. He practically beat up Zelensky.

Therefore, appearing on a live broadcast with Trump in front of cameras, or even holding a joint press conference, is a huge risk; especially considering the hot developments regarding Israel, Gaza, and Syria, and the fact that Tayyip Erdoğan and Trump are at opposite ends on these issues.

For example, he could bring up the Gaza issue during a live broadcast to play with Tayyip Erdoğan's nerves, or corner him just to see him stumble and stutter. He could intentionally speak out of turn to damage his charisma.

He could say, 'Stop buying oil from Russia, or forget about those F-16s,' or 'Don't threaten Israel, cut your ties with Hamas.' He might demand that Turkey completely follow America's lead in Syria, essentially telling him not to even think about operations against the SDF just because Al-Shara called.

Whatever crosses his mind...

And it's not just these things.

It is rumored that Al-Shara and Netanyahu could sign a security agreement in Washington.

This would effectively sideline Turkey. The political investment made in al-Shara to date would also go down the drain.

It is said that one of the articles of this agreement is for Syria to open its airspace to Israel. Another is for al-Shara to give the green light to the David Corridor, which stretches from Israel to the region held by the Kurds.

What will Turkey do? Is there a Plan B, or will it just kick the ball as it comes again?

Or, for example, what will happen if Netanyahu comes out in Washington and says, 'We are against Turkey's return to the F-35 program. We have received a guarantee from Trump on this'?

These are nightmare scenarios. Moreover, it would not be easy at all to find room to maneuver upon returning to Ankara.

It seems that this time, it will not be able to maintain the delicate balance between fulfilling America's demands unconditionally and consolidating its domestic base.

Especially if the Americans leak the agenda items that were not brought up in front of the cameras at the White House but were discussed inside, the agreements reached, and the promises Tayyip Erdoğan made to Trump to the CHP...

Then, let's end our article by saying, 'watch the spectacle unfold'.

* Perhaps the most beautiful song by Şebnem Ferah describing unrequited love!