Afkār is a publication of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, providing short-form analyses, insights, and perspectives on regional issues and developments from the Council's experts and outside contributors. Afkār is published in English and Arabic, and is edited by Omar H. Rahman.
An Israeli strike on a Syrian airbase in August was never just about a runway. It exposed a deeper contest between Israel and Türkiye over which doctrine—Turkish integration or Israeli unilateral force—will define the region’s emerging order.
Despite opposing the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran at its outset, the conflict has exposed the Gulf states to significant harm, demonstrating vulnerabilities to decision-making outside of their control. Can this be remedied without rupturing the partnerships, themselves? Yes.
Türkiye’s rivalry with Israel and Assad’s fall have made Lebanon a strategic priority for Ankara, which seeks deeper security and economic ties without turning it into a direct sphere of influence.