They were the boots on the ground that turned the tide and defeated the Islamic State group. But after a Sunday phone call between the US and Turkish presidents, Donald Trump has announced the end of Washington's military backing for Syria's Kurds. It opens the door for Ankara to launch an invasion. After Ukraine, maybe one of our panellists has an insight as to the transcript of this latest phone call.
The stunning turn of events has paved the way for a visit to the White House in two weeks by the Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. What happened to the fraught relations between the NATO allies, the threat of sanctions over Erdogan's purchase of Russian anti-aircraft missiles?
And what's next for Syria's Kurds, who have enjoyed US military support? For the jihadist prisoners they hold? What impact on the standing of the US and all Western allies in the coalition to defeat the Islamic State group? What lasting impact?
Produced by Alessandro XENOS, Juliette LAURAIN and Ingri BERGO
