This whole thing simply cannot be trusted.
As most already know Turkey is almost 98% Muslim, with about 72-73% being Sunni.
Both Sunni and Shiite Muslim nations have called for the destruction of Israel. Some (Iran/Syria) have remained proactive in this endeavor since 1948.
While there has long been much deception and posturing from governments around the world in the ME theater, Erdogan has seemingly taken the deception to the next level, and really appears to be moving into some type of alliance with Russia. We shall see.
While not the most important development, I also believe this will be evidenced at some point by the US moving out of Incirlik Air Base.
At the end of the day, I believe the new budding alliances between Russia, Syria, Turkey, Iran, and possibly Libya (again) are very much strategic and with goal’s, and appear to be countering the US, Saudi-spherical, NATO alliance.
In almost every “axis & allies” alliance structure there are jurisdictions caught in the middle.
In the ME region, as long as Muslims are fighting Muslims, the more secular friendly and democratic governments may benefit to a degree, as they themselves may temporarily not be the focus of larger attacks. However, as the larger alliances become more defined, it can force those not already part of an alliance to take sides (possibly Jordan/Egypt?).
How this plays out is interesting.
Just a few more details to include in the calculus.
To date, Iran, Russia, and China have military personnel on the ground at various points in Iraq. This ostensibly includes 100,000 Iranian soldiers in Iraq. Iranian soldiers have been on the ground in Syria as well. Additionally, while Russia is getting closer to helping Iran finish their nuclear capability, has sold or placed S-300 and S-400 missile systems in Syria and Iran, and has had, for nearly 2 years, an expanded “no fly zone” (reportedly up to 160km wide)
While all of this posturing is taking place, Russia has increased significantly its naval presence in the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. While the US has not stopped, Moscow has made it clear it does not want any US Navy in the Black Sea. This is happening at roughly the same time Moscow has increased its naval presence in the Mediterranean to be roughly equal in numbers to all of NATOs naval vessel presence. This is happening at the same time Russia is placing additional infantry and armored divisions on the Ukrainian border, and there are military buildups taking place on both sides all the way to the North Sea.
” an expanded “no fly zone” (reportedly up to 160km wide)”
Meant to say an expanded “no fly zone” (reportedly up to 160km wide) over Tartus, Syria.
No.
Iran recognized Israel defacto in 1949 and maintained close relations and cooperation in all fields (Intelligence, military, economic) until 1979.
Iran is hostile to Israel only since the Revolution 1979... and even this has not prevented pragmatic cooperation between them... for instance against their common foe Saddam Hussein.
Ironically the pro-Israel lobby in the US had no small part in weakening the Shah in the years leading to the Revolution 1978/79. They resented that Imperial Iran was rapidly becoming the favorite US arms receiver and a regional great power... they also were apprehensive of the ramifications for Israel of an regional arms race between Iranians and Arabs.
Syria's main beef with Israel is the occupation of the Golan Heights. Assad in the past has repeatedly hinted that a return of the Golan Heights would be the precondition of a rapprochement. The support of Assad for Shia militia must be also evaluated from the aspect of keeping the Sunni-Islamist forces in check.
Again... the real enemy of the West are the Wahhabi/Salafi Sunni forces globally - centered in Saudi-Barbaria.
Israel has other priorities, that are NOT identical with the vital interests of the West. Of course they want others to believe that THEIR problems are OUR problems. It is a lot more complicated than that.
As to the Muslim vs. Jews vs. Christan thing... nothing in history has prevented each of them from cooperating with one against the other whenever they saw it necessary.