President Barack Obama seems to be counting his chickens even if they are unlikely to hatch. In the process, he is giving America’s allies one more reason to distrust us.

On Monday, the Pentagon revealed U.S. Patriot missiles are being withdrawn from Turkey. The pullout is because the Syrian regime, which still possesses a few Scud missiles, no longer is viewed as a threat to Turkey.

What about Iran? In March, that country unveiled a new long-range cruise missile, the Soumar. It is capable of hitting Turkey.

And within a year or two, even assuming a pact intended to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons is implemented, Tehran may have atomic warheads for its missiles. If so, it will be able to engage in nuclear blackmail against the Turks – who will have no missile defense help from the United States.

One could hardly blame the Turks for wondering whether now would be a good time to consider a new alliance with Russia.