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.
Denne historien er fra December 19, 2024-utgaven av Hindustan Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 19, 2024-utgaven av Hindustan Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'All things fusion, plant-based and Ayurvedic'
Chef Kunal Kapur says this year trends transcended flavours to become movements
Green flags to look out for in dating, according to a relationship coach
Dating is a journey of many ups and downs. But while spotting red and beige flags is important, it is also essential to look out for green flags.
Anuv Jain on collab with AP Dhillon: Super excited, cannot wait for people to hear it
Singer-songwriter Anuv Jain is thrilled about his upcoming collaboration with rapper-singer AP Dhillon, which is set to release next year.
International Acts Have Set High Standards
Singer Sunidhi Chauhan feels that with more international concerts, Indian acts are being challenged to be at par
Chen: Will make music in Hindi if I get a chance
South Korean singer-songwriter Chen's maiden trip to India was made memorable by the love he received from his fans. \"I am filled with joy, and I hope that it is the same for my Indian fans,\" he tells us.
Gurmeet Choudhary: This year presented me as action hero to audiences
Actor Gurmeet Choudhary, who made his OTT debut this year, had a double bonanza with Commander Karan Saxena and Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2. Both shows were successful, and he gushes, \"This year, the era of Gurmeet Choudhary has started; I will kill it in 2025!\"
A statement with straight bat and clear mind
The MCG and all its Boxing Day-inspired 83,000 temporary inhabitants were buzzing. Rishabh Pant has just been dismissed. India had been reduced to 191/6, trailing by 283 runs. The Australian attack featuring Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon had its tail up. There was a match on the line. Perhaps pride too.
Reddy breathes life into battle at the G
The 21-year-old's first triple figure knock and stand with Washington rallies team vs Australia
Nitish's biggest strengths are maturity and mindset: Coach
I remember an instance when his dad told me he can't afford a bat for Nitish, so I gave him mine. He went on to score 441 runs in an innings with that HEMAL WATEKAR, Nitish's childhood coach
Arsenal climb to second with 1-0 win over Ipswich
Arsenal moved up to second in the Premier League and within six points of Liverpool after a largely trouble-free, if slightly pedestrian, 1-0 win at home to struggling Ipswich Town on Friday.
