The mid-August Israeli airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur air base in northwestern Syria exposed a dangerous fault line. The strike, which targeted infrastructure to block possible Turkish radar deployments, represents a flashpoint that could easily spark a wider regional war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation through the Prime Minister’s Office as a vital, preemptive security measure. Yet, the strike highlights a volatile security dilemma between two major Middle Eastern powers: Israel and Turkey. With Israel facing tense elections and Turkey expanding its footprint, the risk of miscalculation remains significant.