Turkish analysts differ as to whether President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the US will help restore ties between the two countries. Although the two sides are still at odds over Washington's decision to arm the YPG, a Kurdish militia operating in Syria, some think bilateral relations have a chance to become stronger. 

Professor Selcuk Colakoglu from Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University thinks the meeting could be a chance for President Erdogan and US President Donald Trump to develop a personal relationship, and to understand each other’s “individual leadership capacity”, which could be an important outcome.

“Turkey and the US can develop a common vision for Syria, because there are also some similarities. When we compare with Russia, the Turkish and American positions are closer than the Russian position on Syria, maybe the joint position, joint stance against the Assad regime," he said.

President Trump hosted Erdogan at the White House on Tuesday, the first face-to-face meeting since Trump took office. Trump said the US supported Turkey’s fight against ISIL and the PKK (a Kurdish militant group). However, the Trump administration decided to supply weapons to the YPG, which has caused tensions in Turkey, with some saying the Syrian Kurds are allied with the Turkish Kurds.