It is clear that the war against ISIS and other Islamist terrorist proxies would have been more difficult to win without international support. To be able to preserve and to develop the democratic autonomous administration that exists in Northeast Syria today, that same international support is needed. The current administration is a secular, pluralistic, and democratic project. This project should not be limited only to marginalizing ISIS, as U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested. Rather, the project must strategically emphasize on eliminating ISIS: preventing a resurgence or rebranding, and eradicating the ideology that enables ISIS and groups like it to exist. The peoples of Northeast Syria have begun such a project. In the face of Turkish threats, they need international support to continue. 

Such support can start with a no-fly zone. With international protection, a stable administration with a democratic vision for a large part of Syria will push the central government to engage in serious dialogue and reforms, including transition of power. At the same time, a no-fly zone gives an opportunity for secular and democratic opposition to emerge in a natural patriotic way. Here are several reasons why a no-fly zone is essential. 

First, it is important not only to stop Erdogan from occupying more of Syria, but also to demand that Turkey leave Syria altogether. Turkey´s expansionist ambitions must be stopped before it harms the whole region. It is important to understand Erdogan´s notion of “rebuilding the old Ottoman Empire” and “liberating” Jerusalem.