The Wall Street Journal issues a clear and stern geopolitical warning to the West , emphasizing that the potential collapse of the Iranian regime must not lead to a new, equally dangerous balance of power in the Middle East.
According to the historical newspaper’s report, as the United States and Israel attempt to neutralize the threat emanating from Iran, the West must avoid a strategic mistake and not allow Turkey to fill the geopolitical vacuum that may be created in the region.
The newspaper points out that history has already offered an important lesson. After the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq , the power vacuum that was created was not filled by stabilizing forces, but by the growing influence of Tehran. The result was a long period of instability, with attacks on American forces by pro-Iranian organizations and armed groups.
In today’s geopolitical environment, the Wall Street Journal expresses deep concern about the stance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan . As noted, Ankara appears to provide diplomatic cover to Tehran , condemning Western attacks and expressing regret over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei .
The report also refers to allegations that Turkish authorities collaborated with the Iranian regime to arrest and extradite Iranian dissidents who had fled to Turkey, with some of them even facing execution upon their return to Iran.
At the same time, the newspaper directly raises the issue of Turkey’s credibility as a NATO member . The article recalls incidents that, in the opinion of the editors, show that Ankara has at times acted contrary to the interests of the West .
Among other things, reference is made to a 2012 case in which Turkey allegedly revealed to Iran the identities of Mossad agents who were monitoring the Iranian nuclear program. The incident is described as a serious blow to Western intelligence services.
Furthermore, the newspaper recalls evidence that came to light after an operation by the American special forces unit Delta Force in 2015, according to which financial links were identified between networks related to ISIS and circles in Turkey.
The article attributes this stance to a broader geopolitical ambition of Ankara. As noted, Erdogan seems to perceive himself as a modern “Ottoman leader,” seeking to make Turkey a dominant power in the Muslim world and the wider Middle East.
In this context, the instrumentalization of migration is presented as part of a broader strategic pressure towards Europe. The newspaper recalls the crises that occurred in 2016 and 2020, when Ankara was accused of using the refugee issue as a lever of political and economic pressure towards the European Union .
The key question posed by the article is clear: can NATO continue to trust an ally that often follows a course contrary to the West’s strategy?
The Wall Street Journal concludes with a clear warning to Washington and its allies: In reshaping the geopolitical balance in the Middle East, Turkey should not be taken for granted.
On the contrary, as is characteristically emphasized, Ankara has proven many times that it can function more as a competitor than as an ally, which makes its presence a permanent strategic headache for the West .
