Is Turkey the new Iran?

In a recent interview on the Haaretz Podcast, Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak stated that Israel's strike on a Syrian airbase near Turkey was primarily a warning to the United States that Turkey's military expansion into Syrian territory could lead to a full-scale conflict. The attack has been deemed an election strategy by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

However, Yanarocak emphasized that Turkey's aspirations in post-Assad Syria are a significant concern for Israel. Israel's military leadership perceives these ambitions as substantial threats and advocated for the strike due to Turkey's disregard for warnings. Over the past three years of conflict, the balance of power has shifted in Turkey's favor, as Iran and Gulf states have weakened, according to Yanarocak.

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has ambitious plans for his country, and Syria plays a crucial role in achieving them. Yanarocak described the prevailing sentiment in Turkey as neo-Ottomanism, and he likened the nation's mindset to the American rallying cry of "Make America Great Again," stating, "Turkey is thinking very big." To engage in further discussion, one can subscribe to the podcast.