Last week's Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear program and military assets and Iran's responding missile strikes represent a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between the two nations. While covert operations and proxy conflicts have defined much of their rivalry in recent years, this overt military strike signals a dramatic shift in the nature of their confrontation. The attack raises urgent questions about the motivations behind Israel's actions, Iranian retaliation, and the broader implications for regional and global stability.
To explore these issues, RAND experts provide insights into the strategic, diplomatic, and economic dimensions of this unfolding crisis. From the risks of further escalation to the impact on U.S. foreign policy and global energy markets, their analysis sheds light on the complexities of this pivotal moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
This violence marks a dramatic departure from the long-simmering Iran-Israel shadow war. Why is it happening now?
Heather Williams Israel is trying to take advantage of its successes against Hezbollah and Hamas and the fall of Assad in Syria to deal a serious blow to Iran. More than simply setting back Iran's nuclear program, Israel appears committed to punitive damage that causes permanent harm to the Islamic Regime's military capabilities and political resolve.
Raphael S. Cohen Simply put, Israel believed it was almost out of time to stop an Iranian bomb and that the time was right for a preventative strike. In a post–October 7th world, Israel believes that an Iranian bomb poses an existential risk to Israeli security. Thanks to war in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel has dealt significant blows to Iran's proxy network, particularly Hezbollah. Moreover, back in October, Israel had already taken out some of Iran's air defense.
No comments:
Post a Comment