Are Turkey and Israel becoming regional rivals?

Описание: Are Turkey and Israel becoming regional rivals?

Israel struck Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase after claiming Damascus was preparing to allow Turkish troops to deploy there. Turkey and Syria denied any base was planned, although Turkish officers had visited as part of military cooperation.

The incident exposes a contest. Turkey supports Syria's new government, trains its armed forces and wants a state aligned with Ankara. Israel distrusts that government, maintains forces in southern Syria and is prepared to strike capabilities it considers threatening.

Gaza has widened the divide. Turkey halted direct trade with Israel in 2024, supports the Palestinian cause and has pursued legal action against Israeli leaders. Israel sees Ankara's relationship with Hamas as a security concern.

The two countries also compete in the Eastern Mediterranean. Israel has deepened ties with Greece and Cyprus, while Turkey disputes maritime boundaries and fears being excluded from regional energy projects.

However, rivalry does not make direct war inevitable. Both remain connected to the United States, and they established a communication line in 2025 to prevent their forces colliding in Syria.

Turkey and Israel are moving from difficult partners towards strategic competitors. Syria is where that competition carries the clearest risk of military escalation.