12:39 16-04-2026

Analyst Says Turkey–Israel War Remains Possible

Analyst says war between Turkey and Israel is possible under certain conditions, but risks and global interests may restrain escalation.

Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko assessed the likelihood of a war between Turkey and Israel, stating that such a scenario remains possible.

He noted that relations between the two countries have been strained for a long time and are regularly accompanied by harsh rhetoric. In his view, tensions have recently intensified further due to developments around Palestine and the Gaza Strip, as well as Ankara’s ambition to position itself as a leading power in the Middle East and the Muslim world.

Ishchenko believes that a war is theoretically possible if a trigger emerges and if the timing is favorable-specifically, when Israel cannot rely on external support because other powers are preoccupied with their own conflicts.

At the same time, he pointed out that both the United States and Russia are generally interested in preserving Israel as a key regional player, which limits Turkey’s ability to launch a direct military confrontation.

The analyst also stressed that such a conflict carries risks for Ankara, as it could be exploited by Turkey’s long-standing rivals, including Greece and France. For this reason, he expects Turkey’s leadership to act cautiously, making stronger statements than actual moves.

However, Ishchenko emphasized that a hypothetical war between Turkey and Israel cannot be ruled out.