Israel might attack Damascus to "save" PKK/YPG terrorists. Our focus would shift there, and the East of the Euphrates would be secured! So, swift action is essential.

If the East of the Euphrates cannot be secured and swift action isn’t taken, the entire region will regress to a previous period of instability. Everything will continue as it was, Syria will fragment further, this fragmentation will spill over and fully divide Iraq, and a frontline will be opened against Türkiye.

If Türkiye doesn’t secure the East of the Euphrates and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity, it could witness the loss of all its regional gains in an instant.

THE NEW SYRIAN ADMINISTRATION WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

The new Syrian administration is facing an incredibly difficult struggle: fighting remnants of the regime, combating Iranian elements, countering the YPG/PKK, and addressing Druze separatists. At the same time, it must establish a national army, define a governance system, draft a constitution, restore institutions, solve economic crises, and rebuild a country devastated by war.

Even for a stable political system, this would be an extraordinary challenge. The administration must find extraordinary solutions to extraordinary problems. The political and economic support of Gulf states is crucial, as these countries must recognize that regional stability depends on Syria. The Syrian administration, determined and strategic in its approach, appears capable of overcoming these challenges. But will unexpected developments emerge during its weakest moments?

A TURKISH-ISRAELI WAR?

IF SO, ISRAEL MUST BE STRUCK IN THE EAST OF THE EUPHRATES

Amid this atmosphere, the Israeli media has ramped up threats, claiming, "Erdoğan’s Syria policy brings Türkiye and Israel closer to war than ever." These narratives are spun while Türkiye strives to unify Syria, and Israel seeks to occupy parts of it. Israel, the rogue actor in the region, reveals its fears through its threats. After witnessing the genocide in Gaza, we are all too aware of what Israel might attempt.

The urgent priority is to prevent giving Israel and the PKK/YPG time to maneuver. Any war with Israel would begin in the East of the Euphrates, as Israel’s priorities are directly aligned with the dynamics in that region. Striking the YPG equates to striking Israel. Dismantling the YPG means removing Israel’s influence in Syria.

Israel calculates Türkiye’s delays and Syria’s difficulties to buy time and achieve its goals. This demands constant vigilance on our part.

THIS REGION WILL BECOME A BASE FOR AGGRESSION ACROSS THE ENTIRE GEOGRAPHY

The status quo being established in the East of the Euphrates—a terror hub—will transform into a launchpad for interventions targeting the entire region, becoming an inviolable zone and one of the main garrisons for the U.S. and Europe.

Let’s not forget: the primary reason for the Syrian war was to establish this very status quo in the East of the Euphrates. The plan was to extend this corridor to the Mediterranean, encircle Türkiye’s southern border, and stretch the map to Iran’s border. Türkiye’s interventions disrupted this plan, with the victory in Damascus delivering a heavy blow, shutting down access to the Mediterranean, and rendering the project obsolete.

ISRAEL MAY ATTACK DAMASCUS OR EVEN OCCUPY IT TO PROTECT THE PKK

But they won’t give up. If victory in Damascus isn’t secured, another opportunity will be handed to them, and the maps of division and fragmentation will expand step by step. This could happen far more easily than we imagine. Sectarian identities—from Druze to Alawites—will be exploited with the support of Europe and the U.S., stirring unrest in these regions and solidifying a “de facto division” map of Syria.

Here’s a more alarming scenario: to save the PKK/YPG in the East of the Euphrates and provide them breathing room, Israel might invade Damascus. They could push Israel to take this step. Extraordinary measures could be taken to prevent Syria’s territorial integrity from being restored and to keep the PKK/YPG entrenched as a power in the East of the Euphrates.

BECAUSE THEN, OUR FOCUS WOULD SHIFT TO JERUSALEM, AND THEY KNOW IT

They understand that once Syria’s unity is secured and Türkiye, Syria, and Lebanon achieve economic and security integration, all eyes will turn to the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem. Before reaching that point, they will attempt unimaginable actions in Syria. Iran, reeling from its losses in Syria, could also fuel chaos, supporting the PKK/YPG, mobilizing former Baath loyalists, and provoking sectarian identities to incite unrest.

If Israel were to attack Damascus, already within a short distance, it would focus the full attention of both the Damascus government and Türkiye on that area, creating a climate of relief and strengthening the PKK/YPG.

THEY WON’T LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS

Let’s face the reality: they won’t disarm. They won’t disarm through negotiations or politics. They will play for time, aim to prolong the conflict, and push for “international arbitration,” likely through Damascus. For Türkiye, this would be catastrophic. They won’t disarm except through force. This is no longer about peace or reconciliation—it’s a battle of power.

HISTORIC OPPORTUNITIES CAN’T BE SQUANDERED ON WISHFUL THINKING

Historic opportunities must not be wasted on wishful thinking. Türkiye, in a period of unmatched regional influence and strength post-Ottoman era, must not fall victim to the maneuvers and political games of an organization and its backers. A millennium of history and geographic wisdom cannot be reduced to the whims of a group’s strategies.