Israels military strikes in Syria this week launched in response to atrocities against the Druze minority represent a strategic turning point in a deeper power struggle that now entangles Iran, Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the U.S., according to regional analysts.Just days ago, speculation swirled about a potential normalization agreement between Israel and Syria a breakthrough quietly brokered by U.S. officials, but that fragile prospect has been swiftly overtaken by violence, as Israeli airstrikes this week struck near Damascus.A ceasefire agreement between Druze factions and the Syrian government, announced July 16, was meant to calm days of deadly clashes, but it remains tenuous and largely unenforced, with sporadic fighting continuing and tensions running high.WHY SYRIA PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN TRUMPS PLANS FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE"For the Druze in Israel, whats happening in southern Syria feels like October 7 all over again," said Avner Golov, vice president of the Israeli think tank Mind Israel. "Israel can no longer treat Syria as just a neighboring crisis. Its now a domestic one."In a rare scene, Israeli Druze citizens crossed the border into Syria to support their embattled relatives prompting a stern warning from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."My Druze brothers, citizens of Israel... Do not cross the border," Netanyahu said. "You are putting your lives at risk you could be killed, you could be kidnapped and you are harming the IDFs efforts. Let the IDF do its job."In his first televised address since the Israeli strikes, Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa framed the Israeli intervention as a destabilizing act."Government forces deployed to Suweida succeeded in restoring stability and expelling outlawed factions despite the Israeli interventions," he said, warning that the strikes led to "a significant complication of the situation" and "a large-scale escalation." He insisted that protecting the countrys Druze minority was a top priority and declared that Syrians "are not afraid of war."Within Israel, the collapse of order in Syria has triggered sharp debate. Some policymakers argue for supporting Sharaa as an anti-Iranian strongman, while others advocate broader military action to create a buffer zone in southern Syria. Golov supports a middle course: conditional strikes paired with demands for Druze autonomy and accountability for war crimes."If Sharaa shows hes willing to punish those responsible for the massacre and agree to Druze autonomy, then Israel can gradually work with him," Golov told Fox News Digital.TRUMPS PUSH FOR ISRAEL-SYRIA PEACE GETS MAJOR BACKING AS ACTIVIST BRINGS MESSAGE TO JERUSALEMHe also called for a regional diplomatic effort to stabilize Syria. "We need a regional summit the U.S., Saudi Arabia, even Turkey, and Israel" he said. "Bring positive forces into Syria and use Israeli military power not just tactically, but to gain diplomatic leverage.""Theres a temptation to miss the victory lap," said Behnam Taleblu, senior director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). "Rather than see Syria through the prism of competition with Turkey, Israel should first see it through the prism of diminished competition with Iran. That in itself is a huge achievement."While Irans position has weakened, Turkey has quietly expanded its footprint in Syria by backing the al-Sharaa government.Turkeys strategic interest in Syria, Sinan Ciddi, a senior fellow at FDD anddirectoroftheTurkeyprogram, explained, is to fill the vacuum left by Iran with its own political and economic influence using al-Sharaa regime as a conduit. "Turkey has a lot riding on al-Sharaa success," he said. "Theyd like to see increased trade, the reconstruction of Syria through al-Sharaa. They want to use him as a means to influence the region politically."However, Israels military response has triggered alarm in Ankara."Turkey is not in a position to militarily challenge Israel it would be a disaster," said Ciddi. "Theyre talking tough, but theyre deeply concerned."Ciddi emphasized that Turkey's aging military hardware and lack of air defense leave it highly exposed. Yet, Turkey is deeply invested in al-Sharaa political survival, hoping to leverage him for influence and economic ties in post-war Syria.A direct clash between Turkey and Israel, Ciddi warned, would "result in a diplomatic fiasco... and require the United States and European countries to step in as mediator."WHO ARE THE DRUZE? RELIGIOUS GROUP AIDS SYRIAN MEMBERS UNDER ISLAMIST ATTACK, ISRAELI MEMBERS OFFER SUPPORTEven as Israel dismantled key parts of Irans military infrastructure in Syria, Tehran remains a long-term threat. Taleblu said Iran is now lying in wait ready to exploit missteps by others."This is a regime that capitalizes on the mistakes of others," he said. "They dont need to win outright they just need everyone else to lose."Tehran is betting that the regions rival powers Turkey, Israel, the U.S. and the Gulf will overplay their hands, allowing Iran to reenter through proxies, sectarian militias, or diplomatic manipulation.Though President Trump recently said Syrias internal affairs are "not our war," his administrations tone has shifted. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for de-escalation, and regional partners are urging a clearer U.S. role."Real success will come from creating contingencies," Taleblu said. "What are the costs if Syria collapses? What if Turkey overreaches, or Israel overextends? What if Iran comes back? The states that prepare for these questions."