Türkiye’s Role in Lebanon after the Collapse of the Syrian Regime: Between Soft Power and Strategic Objectives

Introduction
At the end of 2024, the geopolitical transformations in the Middle East, particularly with the collapse of the Syrian regime, led to fundamental changes in the regional balance of power. One of the countries most affected by these transformations was Lebanon.
In Lebanon, this transition period took place amid a domestic political crisis; in this context, the election of General Joseph Aoun as president and the formation of a new government under the premiership of Nawaf Salam, a former judge and diplomat, attracted attention. These developments took place amid a crisis in which Israel’s attacks on Lebanon destroyed the country’s infrastructure and increased its economic and social burden. This situation pushed the Lebanese state to reconsider its external relations and strategic partnerships; in this context, relations with Türkiye also entered a process of redefinition.