Why Is Israel Now Expressing Concerns About Egypt’s Military Strength?

BusinessAerospace & DefenseWhy Is Israel Now Expressing Concerns About Egypt’s Military Strength?ByPaul Iddon,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist focused on Middle East affairs.Follow AuthorMay 26, 2026, 09:49am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.J-10 fighter jet of the Chinese PLA Air Force (right) and MiG-29 of Egyptian armed force take part in the China-Egypt joint air force training code-named "Eagles of Civilization 2025" at an airbase on April 19, 2025 in Egypt. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/VCG via Getty Images)VCG via Getty ImagesIsrael’s latest war with Iran and its war of words with Turkey have understandably grabbed headlines throughout this year. A less noticed development has been Israel’s recent concerns about another regional power, its southern neighbor, Egypt.Operation Roaring Lion, the latest Israeli air campaign against Iran fought alongside the United States, was the most consequential to date. It came amid recurring speculation and fears over the past year that Israel and Turkey may eventually clash militarily in the future. Even before Roaring Lion, which followed Israel’s then-unprecedented Rising Lion 12-day air war in June 2025, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett bluntly warned that “a new Turkish threat is emerging.”“Turkey,” he declared in February, “is the new Iran.”A few days after Roaring Lion came to a halt with the U.S.-Iran ceasefire that went into effect on April 8, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan charged that, “After Iran, Israel cannot live without an enemy.”“We see not only (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s administration but also some figures in the opposition – though not all – are seeking to declare Turkey the new enemy,” he said in clear reference to Bennett.Israel and Turkey are at odds over a multitude of issues: fro...