The 12-day war between Israel and Iran has changed the balance of power in the Middle East. The most dangerous consequence may not be a further fight with Iran, but the emergence of a tougher competition between Turkey and Israel. The Financial Times writes that.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently presented the new mood in Ankara, saying at a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, “There is no Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, Yemeni or Iranian problem - but there is clearly an Israeli problem.”

This view reflects a shift in Turkish thinking about Israel's place in the region; once an ally, then a rival, it is now increasingly seen as a direct adversary.

Ankara is unhappy with Israel's assertiveness and its bold new identity as a regional hegemon - a role that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long coveted.

Devlet Bahceli, a key Erdogan ally, recently accused Israel of trying to “encircle Anatolia” and destabilize Turkey. 

This obsession is mirrored in Israel, where parts of the security establishment increasingly view Turkey's regional influence as a long-term threat “more dangerous than Iran.” Erdogan's public support for Hamas has provoked a sharp response from the Netanyahu government, sparking acrimonious exchanges and spurring Israeli ties with Syrian Kurds, whom Ankara has long seen as a threat. 

In an already volatile region, a duel between the region's two strongest militaries - both U.S. allies - could further undermine the delicate balance of power.

Israel's decapitation of Iran's military leadership is a stark reminder of its superior air power and intelligence capabilities. Ankara is now taking steps to address its own vulnerabilities.

US President Donald Trump should use his good relations with both Netanyahu and Erdogan to deal with this confrontation. The end of the Gaza war may help assuage Turkey's discontent, but the long-term rivalry between the two countries is unlikely to disappear.

For decades, U.S. policymakers have treated Turkey and Israel as indispensable - albeit difficult - allies and pillars of regional stability. Now the two pillars are pressing each other directly. With Iran weakened, Washington and its allies must recognize that the next test for the Middle East may be the rivalry between their two closest partners.