In its analysis published on the changing balance of power in the Middle East, Israel-based newspaper The Jerusalem Post evaluated that Türkiye has significantly increased its regional influence recently. In the news, it was stated that one of the most striking but under-analyzed situations in the current strategic picture is the new regional structuring led by Türkiye.
In the analysis, it was claimed that Ankara was at the center of the new axis formed by Türkiye, Qatar and Pakistan. While it is considered that Saudi Arabia and Egypt may also get closer to this structure in the future, it has been claimed that the formation in question is positioned on an anti-Israel line.
The news argued that Türkiye could expand its sphere of influence to Asia, the Middle East and Africa. According to the news in the Star newspaper, while Syria was cited as the most striking example in this context, it was evaluated that Turkey was the country with the most influence on Damascus in the post-Bashar Assad period.
The Jerusalem Post pointed out that Türkiye is an effective actor not only in Syria, but also in Iraq and its relations with Hamas. The analysis also included the view that Ankara has steadily increased its political and diplomatic influence in the region in recent years.
It has been claimed that Türkiye is trying to increase its influence in Lebanon, especially in the Tripoli and Akkar regions and through the Turkmen population. It was claimed that US President Donald Trump's statements regarding the possible role of the Syrian administration in Lebanon showed Türkiye's influence in the Washington administration.
The news stated that Ankara and Doha have developed a strong strategic partnership in economic, military and diplomatic fields in the last decade. It was also reminded that Türkiye imports a significant amount of natural gas from Qatar and maintains a permanent military base in the country.
In the analysis, it was stated that Pakistan constitutes the third pillar of the structure described as "strategic trio". While it was stated that Türkiye is one of Pakistan's important arms suppliers, it was stated that defense cooperation and economic investments between the two countries are increasing.
It was also reported that Ankara took a similar stance with Pakistan at the United Nations on various international issues, especially Kashmir.
The Jerusalem Post analysis suggested that although there is no official defense alliance, Türkiye, Qatar and Pakistan have economic, military and strategic capacities that complement each other. It was argued that Qatar's financial power, Türkiye's military capacity and Pakistan's nuclear capability created a remarkable balance of power.
The newspaper wrote that the rapprochement between these three countries is considered as a new strategic challenge for both Israel and the countries that follow Western-oriented policies in the region.