Hyderabad, Sept. 28 -- Talmiz Ahmad

The heavy hand of Turkey's political and military presence is being felt in many parts of the Middle East. In Syria, Turkish troops have launched four military intrusions across the 900 km border between the two countries since 2016 and are now firmly established in their neighbor's north and northeast. In Iraq, they are mounting repeated aerial attacks on positions held by fighters from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and occupy territory up to 30 km inside the country.

In Libya, Turkey last year signed an agreement with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) that defined Libyan and Turkish exclusive economic zones in the eastern Mediterranean. In return, Turkey deployed mercenaries...