Uncovering the Roots of the Escalating Israel-Turkey Power Struggle in Post-Assad Syria

Israel has maintained a pattern of strikes across Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, accompanied by military incursions into the southern regions under the justification of neutralizing former government weapons. However, last week's airstrike on the Abu Al Duhur military airfield located in the northern governorate of Idlib marked a distinct shift, appearing to target Turkey amid growing regional friction between the nations. While Israeli authorities claimed that Turkey had deployed troops to the airbase, both Turkey and Syria rejected the accusation. Tom Barrack, the US special envoy to Syria and ambassador to Ankara, described the strikes as entirely unnecessary and deeply concerning.

This heightened tension unfolds as the administration of President Ahmad Al Shara tries to establish stability alongside regional neighbors, backed by Washington. Meanwhile, stalled diplomatic discussions between Israel and Syria resumed in Jordan this week as the US intensified efforts to lower the temperature. Despite these interventions, obstacles persist as both Turkey and Israel vie to cement their strategic influence in a post-Assad Syria. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher examines the underlying drivers of this confrontation between two influential regional powers. Her discussion features insights from Noah Bonsey, senior adviser on Syria at the International Crisis Group, alongside Danny Citrinowicz, senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies.