Recent analyses suggest that Israel is turning Turkey's historical anxieties to its advantage in the Middle East. The 1920 Treaty of Sèvres, which dismantled the Ottoman Empire, still fuels Ankara's fear of losing influence. Israel reportedly uses this by promoting regional bilateral agreements that sideline Turkey.
According to experts, Israel's normalization deals with Arab nations, such as the Abraham Accords, have strengthened its position. These agreements allow Israel to build alliances that bypass Turkey, reducing Ankara's leverage in regional affairs. The strategy appears to exploit Turkey's double bind: its desire to assert leadership while facing internal economic and political challenges.
Turkey's ruling party, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has often invoked the 'Sèvres syndrome' to rally nationalist support. However, this narrative may be less effective as Israel deepens ties with Gulf states and other regional actors. Analysts note that Turkey's confrontational rhetoric has not translated into concrete actions to counter these diplomatic shifts.
As of August 2026, no major escalation has occurred, but the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve. Israel's calculated moves highlight how historical memory shapes current foreign policy, though the long-term impact on Turkey's regional role remains uncertain.
