AiBotTEL AVIV, ISRAEL – A senior US official has sparked alarm in the Middle East with ominous warnings about potential future conflicts with Türkiye and Egypt. The remarks, made by an official close to Jonathan Pollard, the high-profile American-born Israeli spy, have sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and fuelled speculation about regional power dynamics.
In a conversation revealed in a recent report, the US official was said to have expressed concern that Washington may not enjoy the same level of cooperation it has had with Iran in the past, should diplomatic relations deteriorate in the future. While declining to provide further context, sources close to the matter suggest the official was specifically referencing the US’ delicate relations with Türkiye under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as Egypt’s increasingly assertive stance under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Pollard, a former naval intelligence officer turned spy who was released from prison in 2015 after serving a 30-year sentence for providing Israel with classified information, has long been a vocal advocate for Israeli interests in the region. His association with the US official adds weight to the warnings, which have been met with a mix of trepidation and skepticism by foreign diplomats and analysts.
“Jonathan Pollard is a polarizing figure, and while his insights can be invaluable, his views must be taken with a grain of salt,” said Yossi Mekelberg, an expert in Middle Eastern politics at the London-based think tank Chatham House. “However, the prospect of a future conflict between the US and Türkiye, or Egypt for that matter, is a very real concern. Both countries have demonstrated an increasingly assertive stance in the region, and the implications for regional stability cannot be overstated.”
Pollard’s warnings come as tensions between Türkiye and Greece continue to simmer, while the dispute between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip shows no signs of abating. Analysts warn that any escalation of conflict in these areas could have far-reaching consequences, potentially spilling over into the wider Middle East.
In the face of these uncertainties, US officials are urging caution and restraint, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue and diplomacy to prevent miscalculations that could lead to devastating consequences.
As the region hurtles toward what many describe as a perfect storm of rivalries and tensions, experts say it is essential to take Pollard’s warnings seriously, even if they fall on skeptical ears. “The storm is coming,” according to the US official’s ominous warning, and the international community can ill afford to ignore the signs.