Obama, Erdogan Downplay Syria Differences President Barack Obama (right) and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at joint news conference May 16, 2013 TEXT SIZE Dan Robinson May 16, 2013 WHITE HOUSE — President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan say the U.S. and Turkey are determined to see Syrian President Bashar al-Assad leave to pave the way for a political transition. In a news conference following bilateral talks, both leaders downplayed differences over Syria, underscoring the importance of maintaining pressure on the Assad regime while sustaining Syria's opposition. President Obama recognized Erdogan for being "at the forefront" of efforts to achieve a democratic Syria, and said Turkey will play a key role in coming weeks. Protests against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in Syria in March, 2011. In the more than two years that followed, violence has escalated across th...