Could it because they lacked a national identity?

Israel is the driving force for energy development in the eastern Mediterranean.

A counterweight to Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.

It has done little so far.

Its only non-majority-Muslim neighbor.

Were Israel to route the pipeline for its gas exports through Islamist Turkey, it would be making a major strategic mistake.

Its bonanza in natural gas could transform Israel’s strategic relations with regional neighbors  and others—but only if energy policy is properly managed.