Israel bombed a Syrian air base just after a Turkish delegation left, a dangerous escalation that could pull NATO into a new Middle East war.

• Israel dropped bombs on runways and hangars at a base in northern Syria, then denied it until the US ambassador confirmed the strikes.
• Netanyahu called it a preemptive hit to stop a Turkish military buildup, though Syria says the base was largely empty and no buildup was planned.
• Israel's real worry is Turkey helping rebuild Syria's army — it wants no neighbor with a real military.
• Israeli media are openly mapping where Turkish troops can be hit without triggering NATO's mutual-defense clause, since that only covers Turkish soil.
• There is a money angle too: Israel wants a pipeline and shipping route to Europe running past Cyprus, which Turkey partly controls, making the closed Strait of Hormuz an advantage rather than a problem.

Outlook: Both sides are quietly preparing, and any strike that kills Turkish soldiers would likely bring a heavy Turkish response.