Israel’s security establishment increasingly sees Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as a central strategic threat, according to a report in The Economist.

Fidan previously headed Turkey’s powerful MIT intelligence agency and is considered one of Erdoğan’s closest and most influential allies. An Israeli intelligence analyst reportedly described him as “the most dangerous man in the region” for Israel, while also pointing to his strong ties with Iran.

Israeli concern goes beyond the personal hostility between Erdoğan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Officials increasingly believe that Turkey and Israel are competing over the future balance of power across the Middle East, particularly in Syria.