Turan Research Center

Since the fall of the Assad dynasty in Syria in December 2024, Turkey’s regional influence has notably grown across the eastern Mediterranean. From Libya to Syria to northern Iraq and the South Caucasus, Ankara’s posture has become more pronounced. This development is aided by major regional shifts such as Iran’s weakening, following its direct confrontation with Israel and the United States in 2025.

Another development that facilitated Turkey’s strengthening clout is that regional countries have grown increasingly fearful of Israel’s overbearing power. The Israeli attack against leaders of Palestinian group Hamas[i] in Doha in September served as a further reminder that Arab states should seek the diversification of their partnerships away from exclusive reliance on the United States. Therefore, it was no coincidence that Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense pact with Pakistan nearly a week after the strikes in Qatar. These shifts allow Turkey to skillfully position itself as an indispensable actor to stabilize the shaken regional balance of power.

Read the full article on Manara Magazine.

Emil Avdaliani is a Research Fellow at the Turan Research Center.