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Article snippet: MORE and national security adviser John Bolton, have been touring the Middle East in recent days in an effort to assuage nervous allies in the region. Complicating matters is the fact that the U.S.-backed Kurdish militias in Syria are considered by neighboring Turkey to be an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Ankara considers a terrorist organization. Critics of the administration's decision have expressed concern that Turkey will use the U.S. withdrawal as an opportunity to attack the Kurdish fighters. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier this month rejected Bolton's calls for the Kurdish fighters to be protected. Since then, Pompeo has expressed optimism that a deal could be reached to ensure the Kurdish fighters' safety. The Hill 1625 K Street, NW Suite 900 Washington DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 tel | 202-628-8503 fax The contents of this site are ©2019 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc. Link to the full article to read more