Wanted to react on this:
I fully agree with this assessment, and it brings me to the question how the region's greatest military force has to reach out to the US for its security. Can our Turkish members explain why Turkey has established a decent and large military force, but isn't willing to use it in the region? I don't know if it because of a certain military doctrine, or because of the fact Ankara simply doesn't have the assets to defend its interests. Why establishing such large military force if it isn't enough to project influence and power in the region?
You should ask that question to Erdoğan and AKP members, not to Turkish members of the forum. But if we are talking about Syrian issue, my guess is that:
1. They are afraid of the chemical weapons and ballistic missiles Syria possess. Turkey still lacks a good defence system.
2. They don't want to be seen as warmongers, that's why they prefer a proxy war.
3. War is very expensive so they don't want to to ruin Turkey's economy by declaring war on their own without foreign help.
4. They care about the votes they would get in the next election, they are politicians after all. A large scale war means lots of losses, and that means less votes for them.