Israel's Eastern Mediterranean Strategy: Energy, Security and Geopolitical Balances

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 4 - 24, 26.07.2025

Zuhal Çalık Topuz

Abstract

The discovery of significant hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean has aroused great interest both among the countries in the region and around the world. While these discoveries have changed the energy balances in the region, they have caused the countries to reconsider their political and economic strategies. In this context, Israel has had to develop new perspectives in its foreign and economic policies. The study examines the energy potential of the Eastern Mediterranean and the new identity that this potential has given to the region, and provides a general overview of the reflections of hydrocarbon resources on regional dynamics. In addition, an attempt has been made to identify the strategic interests of Israel, an important regional actor in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the region. In this context, Israel's strategic interests have been addressed under certain headings. As a result of the findings, it can be said that the hydrocarbon reserves discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean have a significant impact on the relations between the countries of the region and the great powers, and that they have played a decisive role in shaping both Israel’s economic and security strategies.

Keywords

Eastern Mediterranean , Israel , Geopolitical Balances

İsrail’in Doğu Akdeniz Stratejisi: Enerji, Güvenlik ve Jeopolitik Dengeler

Abstract

Doğu Akdeniz’de önemli hidrokarbon kaynaklarının bulunması hem bölge ki ülkeler arasında hem de dünya genelinde büyük ilgi uyandırmıştır. Bu keşifler, bölgedeki enerji dengelerini değiştirirken, ülkelerin politik ve ekonomik stratejilerini yeniden gözden geçirmesine neden olmuştur. Bu kapsamda İsrail, dışişleri ve ekonomi politikasında yeni bakış açıları geliştirmek zorunda kalmıştır. Çalışmada, Doğu Akdeniz’in enerji potansiyeli ve bu potansiyelin bölgeye kazandırdığı yeni kimlik ele alınmış ve hidrokarbon kaynaklarının bölgesel dinamikler üzerindeki yansımalarına genel bir bakış sunulmuştur. Bununla birlikte, Doğu Akdeniz’de önemli bir bölgesel aktör olan İsrail’in bölgedeki stratejik çıkarları tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Bu kapsamda, İsrail’in stratejik çıkarları belli başlıklar halinde ele alınmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular sonucunda Doğu Akdeniz’de keşfedilen hidrokarbon rezervlerinin bölge ülkeleri ve büyük güçler arasındaki ilişkileri önemli ölçüde etkilemesinin, İsrail’in hem ekonomik hem de güvenlik stratejilerini şekillendirmesinde belirleyici rol oynadığı söylenebilir.

Keywords

Doğu Akdeniz , İsrail , Jeopolitik Dengeler

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