After the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024, Turkey has emerged as the most influential external power in Syria. File Photo by Youssef Badawi/EPA
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Relations between Lebanon and Turkey recently underwent a significant shift, driven by the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, Iran's reduced influence, growing challenges posed by Israel and other major regional developments, Lebanese and Turkish analysts said.
Closer ties would benefit both countries, with Ankara becoming an important political, economic and security partner, as well as a balancing actor that would allow Lebanon to diversify its regional partnerships and reduce Iran's long-standing influence in the country.
That, however, would not mean replacing Iranian influence with Turkish influence.
Turkey sees Lebanon as increasingly strategically important to expanding its regional influence and securing a foothold in the eastern Mediterranean. But the core priority is to help stabilize both Syria and Lebanon -- a goal that will require close cooperation with Beirut.
