Opinions on Turkey's growing expansion in Syria

The fact that Turkey has become regionally stronger since the change of government in Syria has been analyzed almost every day by international press organizations. This is completely normal because the change of government in Syria is one of the most important developments in the region in geopolitical terms in recent years.

Today, we begin our Syria file with an article from the Israel-based Jerusalem Post. Israeli writer Seth J. Frantzman, as he does every week, focused on Turkey last week too. The title of his piece is: "The Growing Relationship Between Syria and Turkey Could Impact Iran's Proxy War Against Israel."

Frantzman believes that the developing relationship between Turkey and Syria will significantly impact the region. He even suggests that Turkey's influence could be felt in the Golan Heights, potentially leading to friction between Turkey and Israel. Not only in terms of influence but also militarily, the cooperation between Turkey and Syria causes concern among Israeli analysts. Frantzman reported that

during Ahmet Shara's visit to Turkey, the two countries held significant meetings where the establishment of Turkish military bases in Syria was discussed. According to the Israeli press, a common defense pact between Turkey and Syria could create a major strategic shift in the region.

Let's move to an assessment article published on the website of Radio Free Europe (RFE). Written in Russian by Sergey Koval, it was published last week under the headline "Is Russia's Dominance in Syria Over?" Before the Erdogan-Shara meeting, some media outlets had written that the parties were working on a defense pact that would involve Turkey establishing military bases in Syria and training Syrian military personnel. A similar claim was discussed last week by the Egypt-based news agency Mada Masr. According to a report by Mada Masr, based on a source from Syrian security circles, Turkey could use Syrian airspace for military purposes. The same report also mentioned the military base claim, stating that Turkey might establish two bases in the Tijas and Palmyra regions of Syria. Both settlements are located in the Homs province in central Syria, 60 kilometers apart. The military facilities there currently belong to the Syrian Air Force.

Syria's al-Sharaa meets with Turkey's Erdogan

"How is Turkey Preparing to Be a Key Player in Syria's Next Era?" This question was posed by Giorgio Cafiero, a faculty member at Georgetown University, in The New Arab newspaper. Cafiero believes that Turkey will have a significant influence in shaping the new Syria, from economic restructuring to the creation of political, military, and bureaucratic capabilities. However, despite these close ties with Turkey, Syria's new leader Shara chose Saudi Arabia for his first foreign visit. Cafiero explained the reasons for this in his article: "It is understandable and pragmatic not to make the first visit to Turkey to avoid offending Arab elites. Moreover, Shara also needs Gulf capital," he stated. The writer noted, "In the last two months, it has become apparent that the post-Assad administration in Syria will be dependent on Turkey in many areas, from increasing international legitimacy to rebuilding the Syrian economy and national defense."

Germany's influential think tank, the Berlin-based Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), wrote that the German state should cooperate with regional countries, especially Turkey, in the process of "reconstruction" of Syria. Advisors to the German government are urging Berlin to closely work with Ankara in its efforts to establish influence in Damascus. The Berlin-based Institute for International Security Affairs (SWP) called for cooperation with Turkey on "the reorganization and reconstruction of Syria."