Preparations for John II's Syrian Campaign

Timeline

1. 1130Constantinople · ConstantinopleJohn II allied with Holy Roman Emperor Lothair III, intending to check Sicilian Norman king Roger II from the west and secure the empire's strategic flank for an eastern campaign into Syria.
2. 1130Antioch · AntiochThe empire closely monitored conflicts between the Crusader states of Antioch and Edessa and the Turkic emirates, including events such as Bohemond II's defeat in Cilicia, and assessed the feasibility of compelling Crusader lords to cooperate in a northern campaign by asserting suzerainty claims.
3. 1130Gateway to Cilicia · CiliciaWhile planning the Syrian campaign, John II had to first deal with the Danishmendid threat in Anatolia and the political crisis caused by his brother Isaac's defection, delaying the large eastern expedition, though the long-term goal of recovering Cilicia to open the route to Antioch was firmly established.