The Middle East Is Preparing for “Something”!

The Gaza War, which has been ongoing for nearly two years, is rapidly reshaping the world—on the level of nations, states, and the entire international system. In this article, we will highlight some of the developments that have taken place in our region over the past week.

“Anger will now turn into action”

On Friday, August 22, 2025, in Istanbul, 150 leading religious scholars from 50 countries gathered for a week-long series of meetings on Gaza. In the opening statement, there was a strong emphasis that it was time to take “practical steps.” The joint communiqué declared that the issue of Gaza is not only a matter for Palestine but for the entire Muslim ummah. On the second day of the workshop, a warning was directed at Israel: “Where there has been silence until now, anger will rise—and that anger will now turn into action.”

We are at the point where words no longer suffice!

On Monday, August 25, 2025, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held an Extraordinary Meeting of Foreign Ministers in Riyadh. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the situation regarding the Palestinian issue with these words:

“To sum it up, the point we have reached is this: we are now at the place where words no longer suffice. On the matter of Palestine, on the matter of Gaza, humanity has entirely failed its test. All foreign ministers are aware of this—by relying solely on the tools of diplomacy, we have reached the end of the road. From this point onward, different actions and measures must be taken, and the international community must show a stronger reaction.”

Once again, the emphasis was on “action.”

UAE–Egypt Relations

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with President Sisi in Cairo for comprehensive talks focused on regional security, areas of cooperation, and the strength of bilateral relations.

The talks pointed to the challenges facing the Arab world and stressed the need to strengthen coordination and solidarity. Regional security, expanding economic projects, and infrastructure investments were also discussed.

Egypt’s Commander-in-Chief to the Army: “Be ready for war”

Egyptian Defense Minister and Commander-in-Chief Abdel-Meguid Saqr, while inspecting forces in the Western Military Zone, instructed the army to maintain the highest level of combat readiness. He emphasized heightened awareness in the face of rapidly shifting “regional threats.”

Khalifa Haftar Met with MIT Chief Kalın, While Saddam Haftar Met Turkish Commanders on TCG Kınalıada

Türkiye National Intelligence Organisation (MİT) Chief İbrahim Kalın met in Benghazi with Khalifa Haftar, the leader of armed forces in eastern Libya. Officials from Haftar’s Libyan National Army also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Türkiye’s Ministry of Defense announced that the TCG Kınalıada corvette had visited Benghazi Port. During the visit, Turkish and Libyan delegations held meetings with General Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander of the Libyan National Army and head of ground forces. After the talks, Saddam Haftar also toured the Turkish warship.

Striking regional developments!

At the same time, important developments are unfolding across the region:

Syrian President Shara stated that the current conditions are not suitable for a peace agreement with Israel.

The Lebanese government has begun disarming Hezbollah, the group long dependent on Iran.

Many countries around the world are preparing to recognize the State of Palestine. In September, major steps are expected on this front.

In Istanbul, Türkiye’s largest warship, the TCG Anadolu, staged a show of force on the anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert, sending a defiant message to the world.

The U.S. suddenly withdraws from Iraq!

The United States has begun withdrawing abruptly and without warning from the “Ayn al-Asad” airbase and the “Victory Base Complex” in western Iraq.

In September 2024, Washington and Baghdad had reached an agreement: according to the deal, hundreds of U.S. troops would leave Iraq in September 2025, with the last American units exiting by the end of 2026. Yet, the latest developments show that the timetable has shifted dramatically.

Israel signals a step back

Having threatened to invade Gaza, the Israeli government is now showing signs of retreat. Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to “immediately accept” a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal. The fact that the Israeli military, once supportive of Netanyahu’s invasion plan, is now signaling a step back has fueled debate over whether the government’s Gaza push was nothing more than a bluff.

Something is happening!

Last week, the Greek press wrote: “Türkiye has deployed 100,000 soldiers to Cyprus. Ankara is preparing for something.” Looking at the series of developments surrounding Israel, it indeed seems that something is happening.

Perhaps the “practical step,” the “action,” the “WAR”—in other words, a joint ASSAULT on Israel to end the genocide of the past two years—is about to begin.

Since diplomacy and words have come to an end, what else could it be?

Alper TAN

August 26, 2025