Turkey pushing to expand influence in Lebanon, wider region with President's son's visit – analysis

Detailed summary

Balil Erdogan's meetings with a wide range of Lebanese leaders is evidence that Ankara's outreach extends beyond its traditional relationships with Sunni communities in northern Lebanon.

Bilal Erdogan, the son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, received an enthusiastic welcome in northern Lebanon during a three-day visit that also included meetings with senior Lebanese political leaders. The visit illustrates Turkey's efforts to expand its influence in Lebanon at a time when the regional balance of power is changing, particularly following the fall of the Assad regime in neighboring Syria.The visit took Erdogan from Beirut to Tripoli and Akkar, areas where Turkey has historical, cultural, and religious connections.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Jerusalem Post. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.