A bitter rivalry is emerging in the Middle East between two old adversaries over the future of Syria

Onstead of Iran and Russia playing the most influential roles in Syria, Israel and Turkey see an opportunity to advance their conflicting security interests

A torn posters shows the late Syrian President Hafez Assad and his son the ousted Syrian president Bashar Assad, that were set at the entrance of the notorious security detention centre called Palestine Branch, in Damascus, Syria. Picture: AP 

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has opened a new front for geopolitical competition in the Middle East.

Now, however, instead of Iran and Russia playing the most influential roles in Syria, Israel and Turkey see an opportunity to advance their conflicting national and regional security interests.