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.
This story is from the December 19, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Gurugram.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 19, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Gurugram.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A live-action adaptation that lacks both style and substance
Mufasa: The Lion King serves as yet another chapter in Disney's relentless pursuit of revamping its animation classics for a modern audience, often at the expense of originality.
RAKUL HELPS ME SEE GOOD IN PEOPLE
RAKUL HELPS ME SEE GOOD IN PEOPLE
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.
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.
ICC agrees on hybrid model, India to play CT games at a neutral venue
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday approved the hybrid model for next year's Champions Trophy, ending a month-long deadlock over the venue for the competition.
Ashwin's call and why retirement can be 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.
Ashwin back home, says zero regrets on retirement
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin returned home to Chennai on Thursday morning one day after his retirement from international cricket midway through India's ongoing Test series against Australia.
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.
BHARTI AIRTEL PAYS ₹3,626 CR TO CLEAR 2016 SPECTRUM DUES
Indian telecom carrier Bharti Airtel has made an early payment of ₹3,626 crore to the Indian government, the company said on Thursday, settling all its liabilities for the spectrum acquired in 2016.
