Simultaneously, the Middle East remains a region of fragile truces and deep-seated structural instability. The ongoing cycle of violence between Israel and various Palestinian factions has resisted multiple international attempts at a permanent resolution. While ceasefires offer brief periods of respite, the underlying humanitarian and political crises remain unaddressed, serving as a constant source of regional friction. However, the most significant strategic threat in the region remains the shadow war between Israel and Iran. Following a series of direct military exchanges earlier in the year, both nations appeared to pull back from the precipice of a full-scale regional war. Yet, the respite is precarious. Iran’s nuclear program continues to advance, with international monitors reporting enrichment levels that keep the possibility of a nuclear-armed Tehran at the forefront of Israeli and American security concerns. Continue reading…
