The remarks attributed to Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak argue that Türkiye is not a temporary or external power in the Middle East. In these remarks, Türkiye is portrayed as an actor with historical ties to the region whose presence there will continue over the long term.
The attributed remarks examine Türkiye’s position in the region within a historical and political framework that extends beyond its military presence. The assessment attributed to Yanarocak says that Türkiye governed this region for 401 years; however, the historical calculation behind that figure and the full context of the remarks have not been independently verified.
Assessments of 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 various assessments, Yanarocak examines Türkiye’s Middle East policy not only through military deployments but also through its historical legacy, political relations and ties with regional actors.
In a June 28, 2022 interview, 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 examined Türkiye’s long-term regional objectives, developments in Syria, Iran’s position, the Kurdish issue and refugee movements from the perspective of Türkiye’s security interests. In this framework, Ankara’s regional influence is assessed not only through its existing military presence but also through broader political and strategic ties.
Assessments dated June 11, 2026 also emphasized the view that Türkiye’s influence in Syria, Lebanon, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Horn of Africa had increased, leading to various conflicts of interest with Israel in these areas. This approach holds that competition in Israel-Türkiye relations is not limited to bilateral ties but is also connected to Syria, Iran and the struggle for regional influence.
The quotation’s context remains unconfirmed
A comparison portraying Türkiye as unlike an actor such as Russia that came from outside the region, established military bases and then left is also attributed to Yanarocak. This comparison is an expert assessment emphasizing the difference between military bases and historical and political influence; it cannot be treated as a comprehensive and objective comparison of countries.
It has not been independently established which program or interview featured the remarks or on what date they were made. In addition, because the continuation of the quotation, which breaks off after the words "Türkiye will stay here and its presence," is unknown, the incomplete sentence is not reconstructed and its meaning is not inferred.
