ANKARA: Retired General Tod D. Wolters, formerly NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, expressed his expectation that the upcoming US administration under Donald Trump would review the United States Central Command's (CENTCOM) ties with the PKK/YPG terrorist organization. Wolters emphasized the necessity for dialogue between CENTCOM and various other stakeholders, including Trkiye and NATO, regarding the current policy involving the PKK/YPG. According to Anadolu Agency, Trkiye has persistently criticized the US for collaborating with the PKK/YPG under the guise of combating Daesh/ISIS. Turkish officials argue that employing one terrorist group to fight another is illogical. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Trkiye, the US, and the European Union, has been responsible for over 40,000 deaths in its 40-year campaign against Trkiye. The YPG is recognized as the PKK's Syrian branch. The United States currently maintains approximately 900 special forces soldiers in Syria to support the YPG/PKK, which operates under the name SDF. In addition to this, the US has established smaller bases, such as the al-Omar oil field and Al-Shaddadi in northeastern Syria, and a minor outpost known as the Al-Tanf garrison near Syria's border with Iraq and Jordan. Wolters also remarked on the Trump administration's stance regarding NATO's defense spending target. He noted that President Trump is likely to continue advocating for member countries to allocate at least 2% of their GDP to defense. Wolters suggested that Trump might introduce a new target or timeframe to ensure stronger military capabilities among NATO countries, a policy supported by NATO defense ministers who believe it enhances strategic military readiness. On the topic of the Russia-Ukraine war, Wolters predicted that the next Trump administration would adopt a more proactive approach to facilitate strategic-level dialogue between Russia, Ukraine, and neighboring countries. Although the specifics of Trump's plan remain unclear, Wolters indicated that Trump intends to seek advice from his cabinet and pursue a collective decision to expedite a resolution.