Erdogan’s Steps That Raise Alarm in Israel
May and June 2026 were marked by a sharp acceleration of Turkish activity in the Middle East, especially in Syria. Ankara is simultaneously expanding its military, economic, and political presence, combining this with rhetorical extremism…
Assessment
Turkey’s accelerated military, economic, and political activity in Syria during May and June 2026 has begun shifting the regional balance of power. For Israel, Ankara’s deepening security cooperation with Damascus and its rhetorical extremism represent a strategic concern. The inclusion of Syrian forces in Turkish air force exercises is a concrete signal that Turkey is becoming a permanent fixture on the Syrian scene, not just an occasional actor. The next development to watch is whether this expanded Turkish presence leads to direct friction with Israeli interests or further realignments among regional powers.