As Washington Pulls Back, Turkey Positions Itself to Fill the Middle East Vacuum
The United States is signaling a leaner military and diplomatic posture in the Middle East, and Turkey is moving quickly to capitalize on the opening. Ankara sees an opportunity to expand its influence across a region where American retrenchment is creating new space for regional powers to shape outcomes. The shift could redraw the balance of power from the Levant to the Gulf, with Turkey seeking a larger role in security, mediation, and regional diplomacy.
