US Colonel: Turkey is a Much Harder Target for Military Operations Than Iran

As military tensions in the Middle East reached their peak in July 2026, the remarks of a former United States military official regarding the regional balance of power have gained widespread attention. Douglas Macgregor, a retired US Army colonel known for his blunt and sometimes controversial analyses, warned during a specialized panel at the Ron Paul Institute that any notion of weakening or targeting Turkey would be a strategic mistake [1].

Turkey's Military Superiority Compared to Iran In his analysis, Macgregor emphasized that Turkey is a much more difficult target than Iran from various perspectives. According to him, unlike Iran, which relies primarily on asymmetric and missile capabilities, Turkey possesses a classic and modern military that operates at a global level. He noted that Turkey holds the "best army in NATO" in terms of troop numbers, training quality, and equipment [1][2].

One of the key points in the American colonel's remarks was the reference to Ankara's naval capabilities. He stated that unlike many regional powers, Turkey possesses a "real navy" capable of changing the equations in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. This is while Iran, despite progress in the sub-surface sector and fast boats, lacks Turkey's classic ocean-level naval capabilities [1].

Why is Turkey an Invincible Target? From Macgregor's perspective, Turkey's military power is not limited to equipment but is rooted in the country's military culture. In his recent interviews, he described the Turks as "natural-born soldiers" who are extremely tough and resilient on the battlefield [2]. He added that Turkey's defense industries have reached such maturity in recent years that the country has become an independent player in the field of drones and fifth-generation fighters (such as the KAAN project) [2].

He warned that if policymakers in Washington or Tel Aviv imagine they can shift pressure toward Ankara after the Iran crisis, they will face a completely different reality. Macgregor believes that Turkey "is not stupid" and is closely monitoring regional developments and Israel's strategic goals [1][3].

The Syria Conflict Scenario The military analyst predicted that the likely point of friction between Turkey and other powers would be Syrian territory. He claimed that due to its national security interests, Turkey will not allow a new order to take shape in northern Syria without its presence. Macgregor emphasized that a potential confrontation in this region could be disastrous for the opposing side due to the Turkish army's superior firepower [1].

Ultimately, these statements come at a time when the Trump administration is attempting to exit the quagmire of war with Iran, but regional pressures and new alliances have left the Middle East in an unstable state [3]. Macgregor believes that NATO in its current form is "dead" and that Turkey, as an independent power, is redefining its position as a regional hegemon [2].