Is the Eastern Mediterranean becoming Israel’s new front against Turkiye?

Al JazeeraCenterEN 9 min read 100% complete by Elis GjevoriJanuary 9, 2026 at 06:31 AM

AI Summary

long article 9 min

In December 2025, simultaneous meetings highlighted competing strategic visions in the Eastern Mediterranean. While Turkish officials met with Syrian counterparts in Damascus to discuss stabilization, Israel hosted Greece and Cyprus to advance their trilateral framework. This framework, officially focused on energy cooperation, has expanded to include security and military alignment. Some analysts, like retired Admiral Cem Gurdeniz, view Israel's actions as an attempt to contain Turkiye and narrow its strategic space, not through direct confrontation, but by altering its behavior. Israel's increased military activity in Syria, with over 600 strikes in 2025, underscores its willingness to disrupt regional stability. The trilateral alliance reflects Israel's unease with Turkiye's growing influence in the region.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Damascus ×250% Cem Gurdeniz ×250% Ankara ×360% Nikos Christodoulides 60% Benjamin Netanyahu 60% Kyriakos Mitsotakis 60% Greece ×370% Cyprus ×370% Syria ×470% Eastern Mediterranean ×480% Israel ×790% Turkiye ×790%

Keywords

eastern mediterranean 100% turkiye 90% israel 90% strategic containment 70% regional tensions 70% military alignment 60% security coordination 60% trilateral framework 50% syria 50% behavioural change 40%