Turkish Invasion of Rojava Larger than Advertised

Reporting on Turkey's invasion of Rojava, now in its second day, is generally poor. The invasion appears to be larger than originally advertised. The New York Times features a map of Turkish strikes from Kobani all the way to Qamishli, basically the entire northern border of Rojava with the exception of the eastern tip. The Turkish Defense Ministry boasts of tangible progress; the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces, the opposite. One thing seems certain, the United States did not restrict the use of Turkish air power.

Though they're making noises of alarm, the Western powers know what's happening here. Let's be plain. If the Turkish invasion goes as stated, we're talking about ethnic cleansing. Reuters reports that

NATO-ally Turkey has said it intends to create a “safe zone” for the return of millions of refugees to Syria. But world powers fear Turkey’s action could deepen the conflict, and runs the risk of Islamic State prisoners escaping from camps amid the chaos.

[snip]

In the Turkish border town of Akcakale, around 30 vehicles carrying Syrian rebels, many pick-up trucks mounted with anti-aircraft machines drove along the main along the Turkish side of the border from Syria’s Tel Abyad, a Reuters journalist said.

The double-cross of the Kurds comes at an inconvenient time for Trump. He needs his troops in congress loyal. But as the extent of the Turkish invasion comes to light, there will be great pressure on congress to act.