Erdogan Says He Gave Trump Back Letter Warning Not to Be ‘Fool’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he personally returned a letter that President Donald Trump sent him last month, warning him against an offensive in northern Syrian before Turkey began its incursion.

Trump’s letter, dated Oct. 9, cautioned Erdogan not to be a “tough guy” or a “fool.”“History will look upon you favorably if you get this done the right and humane way,” Trump wrote in the letter. “It will look upon you forever as the devil if good things don’t happen.”Turkey began its offensive later that week, pushing U.S.-allied Kurdish forces out of a region close to Turkey’s border after Trump ordered American forces to withdraw. U.S. lawmakers in both parties criticized Trump’s decision, saying it amounted to a green-light for the Turkish offensive.