Assessments attributed to Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak regarding Türkiye’s presence in the Middle East address Ankara’s position in the region through historical ties and political continuity. The statements characterize Türkiye not as a temporary or external power, but as an actor with historical relations to the region that will maintain its presence over the long term.
The attributed remarks do not explain Türkiye’s regional influence solely through its military presence. In an assessment attributed to Yanarocak, Türkiye is said to have ruled this geography for 401 years; however, the historical calculation behind that figure and the full context of the quotation have not been independently verified.
Türkiye’s regional role
Israeli academic Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, who specializes in Türkiye, is associated with Tel Aviv University’s Moshe Dayan Center. In his various assessments, Yanarocak examines Türkiye’s Middle East policy through its historical legacy, political relations and ties with regional actors, as well as its military deployments.
In an interview dated June 28, 2022, Yanarocak discussed Israel-Türkiye relations, Türkiye’s regional policy and its role in the Middle East. In assessments from around 2024, the Gaza war, debates over normalization in Israel-Türkiye relations and Iran’s influence on regional developments came to the fore.
Syria, Iran and the Eastern Mediterranean
In assessments dated February 26, 2026, Yanarocak addressed developments in Syria, Iran’s position, the Kurdish issue and refugee movements alongside Türkiye’s long-term regional objectives, viewing them through the lens of Türkiye’s security interests. This approach evaluates Ankara’s influence together with political and strategic ties extending beyond its existing military presence.
In assessments dated June 11, 2026, the view that Türkiye’s influence in Syria, Lebanon, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Horn of Africa had increased also came to the fore, along with the assessment that various clashes of interest with Israel were taking place in these areas. This framework does not view Türkiye-Israel competition as limited to bilateral relations; it presents a picture linked to Syria, Iran and the struggle for regional influence.
The full context of the quotation is unknown
The attributed remarks also include a comparison portraying Türkiye as unlike Russia, which came from outside the region, established a military base and then left. This comparison is an expert assessment pointing to the distinction between military bases and historical and political influence; it cannot be regarded as a comprehensive and objective country comparison.
It has not been independently established which program or interview the statements were made in or when they were made. In addition, because the continuation of the quotation, which cuts off with the words “Türkiye will stay here and maintain its presence,” is unknown, the incomplete sentence is not completed and its meaning is not inferred.
