Turkey and Pakistan Jostle for Role as Israel's Primary Adversary

TL;DR: Turkey and Pakistan are sharpening anti‑Israel policies and forging new defense ties, positioning themselves to succeed Iran as the leading regional foe of Israel.

Context Since Israel's founding 78 years ago, neighboring regimes have often used the state as a scapegoat for domestic failures. Over the decades, Egypt, Iraq and Iran have each claimed the mantle of Israel's chief adversary. Iran's economy and military have been weakened by sanctions and repeated strikes, leaving a strategic vacuum.

Key Facts President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has escalated Turkey's hostility toward Israel since taking power 25 years ago. After the 2023 Gaza war, he imposed a full economic embargo on Israel, cutting trade and financial flows. In July 2024 he warned that Turkey could launch an invasion similar to past actions in Libya and Nagorno‑Karabakh. Erdogan also threatened to bring Israeli leaders before Turkish courts.

Pakistan's defense establishment has mirrored this rhetoric. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif publicly declared that the creators of Israel should “burn in hell,” underscoring Islamabad's ideological opposition. While Pakistan and Israel have never had diplomatic ties, Pakistan has historically supported anti‑Israel positions in international forums.

In September 2025 Pakistan signed a defense treaty with Saudi Arabia. The agreement came into force in March 2026 when Pakistani troops were deployed to Saudi soil to counter Iranian missile and drone threats. The deployment marks Pakistan's first overseas troop commitment since the Cold War and signals a deepening security partnership with the Gulf kingdom.

Both countries maintain strategic relationships with the United States, despite their anti‑Israel stance. Ankara hosts a U.S. NATO base, and Islamabad participates in U.S. counter‑terrorism initiatives, creating a complex diplomatic balance.

What It Means Turkey's embargo and aggressive rhetoric, combined with Pakistan's troop deployment to Saudi Arabia, suggest a coordinated push to fill the void left by Iran's declining capacity. By aligning with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan gains a platform to project power against Iran, while Turkey seeks to expand its influence southward, potentially confronting Israel directly in future crises.

The United States faces a delicate dilemma: supporting long‑standing allies while managing two regional powers that openly challenge Israel. Washington's response will shape the next phase of Middle‑East security dynamics.

Looking ahead, monitor whether Ankara or Islamabad will initiate concrete military actions against Israel and how the U.S. adjusts its regional commitments in response.