No one anticipated the Turkish government’s move to fill the power vacuum in Syria caused by Israel’s elimination of Hezbollah’s governing elites. While Israel initially celebrated its strategic success, the rise of Turkish dominance has shifted the focus to a more formidable threat than Iran or its proxies. Concerns within the Israeli government are growing, as highlighted by a recent article in the Jerusalem Post.
Some officials fear that despite the diminished influence of Iran in Syria, a Sunni Turkey-Syria axis could emerge, potentially collaborating with terrorist organizations.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-836707
The concept of a “Sunni Turkey-Syria axis” is not new. President Erdoğan’s ambition to establish a neo-Ottoman empire is becoming evident. A Nagel Committee report to the Israeli government underscores this point.
On January 6, 2025, the Turkish president issued a warning against any distribution of power that opposes his country’s interests. The Nagel Committee’s analysis suggests an imperialist desire to rebuild a zone of influence reminiscent of the former Ottoman Empire. This ambition is evident in Turkish operations in Libya and Azerbaijan against Armenia for control of Nagorno-Karabakh.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/international-tension-as-a-new-potential-war-is-brewing/ar-BB1rapWg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=42a7d118661246d995efce278947d058&ei=13
From a Christian eschatological perspective, the only surprise is witnessing the approach of prophecies in the books of Daniel and Zechariah. According to these prophecies, Israel will once again be subjugated to a Middle Eastern empire before the return of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. Zechariah foretells that this empire will oppress Israel, preventing it from lifting its head (Zechariah 1:21). Daniel chapters 8 and 11 describe the rise of this empire from a war between Javan and Persia, with Javan prevailing and subjugating the entire Middle East, including the Holy Land. Modern-day Turkey corresponds to Javan, while Iran represents the Medo-Persia of Daniel’s time.
Turkey’s rise is seen as ordained by the Most High to fulfill His purpose in raising up Babylon the Great and the man of lawlessness. No amount of preparation by Israel will prevent this. It raises questions about when the U.S. might turn its back on Israel, as it has done with the Kurds in Syria. After all, Turkey is a NATO ally, while Israel is not. Israel is likely to continue sounding the alarm about Turkey’s colonial expansionism until the world consents to Israel’s subjugation for the sake of peace. This scenario is also part of Zechariah’s prophecy, where such subjugation prompts direct action by the Most High against the oppressors of His beloved Israel (Zechariah 1:11). Let’s hope the U.S. is not part of that coalition.