The dramatic and swift fall of President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria has all but delinked Iran from its proxy, Hezbollah, in Lebanon, since Syria was Iran's conduit to Hezbollah. The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has all but delinked Hezbollah, weakened both militarily and politically in Lebanon, from a besieged war-ravaged Gaza. Iran's wings have been severely clipped and the so-called axis of resistance is disintegrating. The regional power equations have been redrawn. Hamas is on its last legs in Gaza.
With prospects for a Gaza ceasefire brightening, what Israel plans to do with its reassertion of regional dominance is crucial to the future of West Asia's peace and security. While their focus will now turn to effect regime change in Iran and how Gaza can be "secured" for Israel, Israeli activities in the occupied West Bank will be the litmus test for what is in store for the future of West Asia.
West Bank is the prize that Israel wants. Dominating Gaza is necessary to make sure that it stops being a launchpad to threaten Israeli security. But West Bank annexation is necessary to complete the dream of Eretz Israel. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, an ultra-right political partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, has already declared 2025 as the year of Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria - the biblical name for West Bank, after ancient Israeli kingdoms.
Israel wants to annex it, in effect annexing occupied territory and erasing the 1967 borders. We have already seen that the "New Middle East" map presented to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) by Netanyahu had no West Bank or Gaza. What was earlier Hamas's slogan - from the river to the sea - has now become Israel's rallying cry.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 19, 2024 من Hindustan Times Haryana.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 19, 2024 من Hindustan Times Haryana.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
The Pole Star of India's chess camp, from Anand to Gukesh
Wojtaszek compared his experience of working with Vishy and Gukesh, finding ideas and keeping an eye on Carlsen
LIVERPOOL IN LEAGUE CUP SEMIS, ARSENAL ADVANCE TOO
Liverpool moved into the League Cup semi-finals as the holders won 2-1 against managerless Southampton, while Gabriel Jesus ended his goal drought with a hat-trick in Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Ashwin's call and why retirement can be a fresh start
Ashwin's sudden turn midway through a Test series has shocked everyone. It seems he ended his glorious spell angry/frustrated/disappointed; he wasn't central to the Indian team's plans anymore.
Richa, Smriti take India to series win
Smriti Mandhana (77) and Richa Ghosh (54) led the charge in an emphatic win for India as they defeated West Indies by 60 runs in the third T20I, clinching the series 2-1 at the DY Patil in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
Micromax, Phison form JV for storage chips
Indian mobile phone company Micromax Informatics has tied up with Taiwanese NAND storage chip maker Phison Electronics to develop high-end storage products for enterprise, automotive and artificial intelligence (AI) models.
FMCG firms may hike prices by 5% amid rising costs
Your next pack of cookies could be lighter than the one you got for the same price last time.
Air India orders 34 trainer jets for FTO
Air India has ordered 34 trainer aircraft to support the training of cadet pilots at the Flight Training Organisation (FTO), which is set to commence operations in Amravati by the second half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals, the airline said on Thursday.
Govt to make online grocers sell pulses under Bharat Dal
Virtual shelves of online grocers, such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Swiggy, may soon see the debut of an unlikely item: Subsidised dal from the Government of India.
Ukraine peace deal: Putin says he's open for talks with Trump
Gisele Pelicot hailed after mass rape trial
US prez pledges to cut GHG emissions by more than 60%
I'm proud that my administration is carrying out the boldest climate agenda in American history. JOE BIDEN, US President
