Is Türkiye 'encircling' Israel? What is the reason behind the 'fearing Türkiye'? Will the Syria peace process become the region's new role model?

12:1420/12/2024, Friday
İbrahim Karagül

“If we defeat the Turks, we defeat Islam. If we can’t defeat the Turks, we can’t stop Islam.”This has become Israel’s overarching fear and approach following the new dynamics emerging in Syria. Since 1948, Israel has waged war on Arab lands, primarily against Palestinians and Arab states. Over the last two decades, it softened relations with some Arab regimes and declared Iran its primary threat. However, for the first time, it finds itself facing Türkiye directly—or rather, feeling “encircled”

“If we defeat the Turks, we defeat Islam. If we can’t defeat the Turks, we can’t stop Islam.”This has become Israel’s overarching fear and approach following the new dynamics emerging in Syria.


Since 1948, Israel has waged war on Arab lands, primarily against Palestinians and Arab states. Over the last two decades, it softened relations with some Arab regimes and declared Iran its primary threat. However, for the first time, it finds itself facing Türkiye directly—or rather, feeling “encircled” by Türkiye.


PKK/YPG Can't Contain Türkiye

Israeli media is now debating how to navigate a future involving Türkiye. They are coming to terms with the reality that “Türkiye is present in both Syria and Lebanon.” As they scramble to figure out how to confront this, they cling to PKK/YPG terrorism, further entrenching themselves in a shrinking corner.


Just before the regime change in Syria, the strategy was to “take the war to Türkiye.” This was openly discussed. But in just ten days, the narrative flipped to “Türkiye is encircling Israel.” Now, they are deliberating how to respond.


Invasions, Civil Wars, and Catastrophes: This Region’s Reality—Yet They Couldn't Prevent the Earthquake

The notion that “If we defeat the Turks, we defeat Islam. If we can’t defeat the Turks, no one can stop Islam” has always been the underlying goal of Israel and the far-right in the U.S. While it’s not openly stated, all operations targeting this region have sought to weaken and control Türkiye’s power.


The West has harbored a centuries-old fear of the Ottoman Empire. They know full well that Türkiye’s resurgence as a foundational power would trigger seismic changes across the region.


This is why every invasion, civil war, and disaster in this region has been shaped by these two sentences. It’s that simple, that stark, and that clear.


Islamophobia and Turcophobia Are Theirs

Islamophobia, Turcophobia, the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the killings of millions, the genocide in Gaza, secret torture sites, PKK/YPG terrorism, Daesh, the events in Syria, the barriers to Syria’s unity, the attempted coups in Türkiye on December 17–25 and July 15, and the terror corridor map drawn to the south of Türkiye—all trace back to these two sentences.


The storm launched post-Cold War met its first significant resistance after Türkiye’s intervention in northern Syria following the July 15 coup attempt. The second step was aimed at toppling the Syrian regime. More broadly, Türkiye’s strategic moves have expanded into Central Asia, East Africa, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Black Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean.


A 30-Year Map in Ruins: Israel Is Actually Positioning Itself Against Türkiye

The U.S. and Israel’s attempts to cling to the PKK/YPG in northern Syria, their efforts to establish an autonomous region for the group, and Israel’s occupation of Syrian territory all reflect their panic over the shifting balance of power.


Israel’s incursions into Syrian land aren’t just about fears of a new Syrian government; they are a reaction to Türkiye reaching Israel’s borders in both Syria and Lebanon. The much-discussed “buffer zone” was, in reality, planned against Türkiye.


Their plans for Syria have collapsed, as have their broader regional ambitions linked to Syria. They had hoped to spread fragmentation beyond Syria to other countries. However, Türkiye’s leadership in unifying the region has disrupted a 30-year-old game plan. The desperate convergence of U.S., Israeli, and Iranian plans in Syria highlights the new reality.


From Groups to States: Internal Occupiers Must Go

In Syria, there is no longer a regime, opposition, PKK, or Daesh—there is just Syria. A unified Syria is emerging, as evidenced by the rapid re-establishment of diplomatic relations with both Western and Eastern countries. Under Türkiye’s leadership, a new era of “one nation, one flag, one homeland” has begun.


This sets a precedent for all countries in the region under threat of division, including Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Sudan, and Somalia. We must adopt a mindset focused on national unity and sovereignty.


A New Mental and Physical Map

Our view of the region must no longer be shaped by narratives from the U.S., Europe, or Israeli expansionism. Instead, we need to redefine it through our own geopolitical and cultural understanding.


This approach must extend to the greater region, from East Africa to the Pacific.


It’s not just about physical borders; mental, ethnic, and sectarian divisions must also be erased. We must discard maps of divided countries, like those promoted during the 2003 Iraq invasion, and replace them with visions of unity.


"Syrian Peace" Could Be the New Economic Model

The concept of “Syrian peace” might become a model for resolving conflicts across the region. The idea that certain nations monopolize prosperity and stability will crumble.


Yesterday, Syrian Airlines completed its first flight from Damascus to Aleppo, marking the beginning of an incredible economic resurgence under Syria’s new administration. A joint economic zone between Türkiye, Syria, and Lebanon could serve as a model for the entire region.


Somalia’s Space Center and Africa’s Excitement: Miracles Begin Like This

Consider this: Türkiye has begun constructing a space center in Somalia. It will serve not just Somalia but all of Africa. Can we imagine the morale and excitement this will generate across the continent?

This center will also facilitate long-range missile tests, ushering Somalia into an extraordinary era of strategic importance.


A new era has begun, where the “Türkiye Miracle” is felt everywhere—from Syria to Somalia to Lebanon. After a century, history is taking a leap forward, and the miracles will continue.

#Türkiye
#Syria
#Israel
#Region
#PKK/YPG