Tag: Israel

Iran’s Ring of Fire: A Strategic Analysis
Middle East, Geopolitics and International Security, Regions, Study Office

Iran’s Ring of Fire: A Strategic Analysis

By José Carlos Palma* In the ongoing geopolitical chess game between Iran and Israel, the Middle East has become a battleground where tactics are nuanced, and consequences dire. At the heart of Iran’s strategy lies a two-pronged approach: a military nuclear capability acting as a shield, and a network of proxy forces encircling Israel, known as the “Ring of Fire.” The Strategic Framework Iran’s ambition to establish itself as a dominant regional power has manifested in its development of a sophisticated strategy aimed at maintaining a safe distance from confrontation while exerting influence through proxies. The “Ring of Fire” strategy, orchestrated by the Islamic Republic, involves bolstering militant groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and various m...
Navigating the Complexities of Iran’s Response: Balancing Act in the Face of Escalation
Middle East

Navigating the Complexities of Iran’s Response: Balancing Act in the Face of Escalation

By Daniel Robinson* In the aftermath of recent events, particularly the Israeli strike which significantly escalated tensions, Iran finds itself at a critical juncture, forced to carefully calibrate its response. Observers and experts alike weigh in on the intricate dynamics unfolding, highlighting the delicate balance Iran must strike between demonstrating responsiveness without veering into full-scale confrontation. "They have faced this real dilemma that if they respond they could be courting a confrontation which they don't want," one analyst observed. This sentiment underscores Iran's cautious approach, seeking to avoid escalation while still signaling its ability to defend its interests. The potential consequences of Iran's response loom large, with various scenarios being contemp...
Navigating Governance Challenges in Postwar Gaza: Strengthening the Palestinian Authority
Middle East, Geopolitics and International Security, Study Office

Navigating Governance Challenges in Postwar Gaza: Strengthening the Palestinian Authority

By José Carlos Palma* As the echoes of explosions and gunfire subside, the critical question of who will govern Gaza in the aftermath of the war looms large. With options limited, the Palestinian Authority (PA) emerges as a potential candidate, despite its own set of challenges. In this analysis, we explore the complexities surrounding Gaza's governance and delve into potential strategies for revitalizing the PA to play a central role in the region's stability. Current Challenges: Hamas Dilemma: Hamas, a prominent Palestinian organization, is not an acceptable option for Israel due to security concerns. Israel remains determined not to let Hamas rebuild its military capabilities, posing a significant obstacle to the group's governance in Gaza. Israeli Occupation Concer...
Saleh al-Arouri: Unraveling the Life and Impact of the Hamas Deputy Leader Killed by a Drone Strike
Middle East

Saleh al-Arouri: Unraveling the Life and Impact of the Hamas Deputy Leader Killed by a Drone Strike

By ISSG Staff In a recent drone strike in a Beirut suburb, Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy leader of the fundamentalist Hamas movement, met his demise. This targeted attack by Israel has implications not only for the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas but also for the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. This deep-dive analysis explores the life, role, and political significance of Saleh al-Arouri within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Life of Saleh al-Arouri Born in 1967 in Aroura, in the occupied West Bank, Saleh al-Arouri emerged as a prominent figure in the Hamas movement. His journey began in 1987 when he joined the group, eventually becoming a key player in establishing the military wing of Hamas in the Palestinian territories occupied by Isra...
Iran’s Role in Hamas Attack May Lead to Israeli Retaliation, Regional Conflict
Middle East

Iran’s Role in Hamas Attack May Lead to Israeli Retaliation, Regional Conflict

By ISSG- International Studies of Strategic and Geopolitics October 11, 2023 Washington - Iran's alleged involvement in the planning of a recent Hamas attack on Israel could lead to Israeli retaliation and a wider regional conflict, experts say. According to an Oct. 8 report by The Wall Street Journal, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) helped plan the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed more than 900 Israelis and resulted in the kidnapping of more than 100 people. The report said that beginning in August, senior IRGC officials -- including, at times, Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani and, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian -- met biweekly with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hezbollah to plan the attack, which Iran allegedly gave its final...
The Quiet War between Israel and Iran Iran’s Hegemonic Drive
Middle East

The Quiet War between Israel and Iran Iran’s Hegemonic Drive

by Jonathan Schanzer Middle East Quarterly A major war has been underway for a decade in the Middle East though it infrequently makes headlines. Month after month, week after week, and night after night, the Israelis have operated across the region against the Islamic Republic of Iran in what the Israeli government calls "the-war-between-wars" (or "the-campaign-between-wars").[1] The genesis of this war is clear. Since the early 1980s, Tehran has financed, armed, and trained terrorist proxies to target Israel. This includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and more recently, Shiite militias in Syria and Iraq. Historically, Israel has battled many of these proxies in short but painful border wars. Tehran never paid a price. The Islamist regime preferred ...
Barcelona cuts ties with twin city Tel Aviv citing Israeli ‘apartheid’
Europe, Civil Society

Barcelona cuts ties with twin city Tel Aviv citing Israeli ‘apartheid’

The move from the city's mayor follows pressure from pro-Palestinian, feminist, immigrant and LGBT+ organisations. Barcelona has severed ties with twin city Tel Aviv on the grounds that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians amounts to “apartheid”. Speaking at a press conference, Ada Colau, the city’s left-wing mayor, said: “More than 100 organisations and over 4,000 citizens have demanded that we defend the human rights of Palestinians and for this reason, as mayor, I have written to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to inform him that I have suspended temporarily the institutional relationship between Barcelona and Tel Aviv”. Spain's Jewish federation said in a statement in response to the move: "It is worrying to note that the actions and legitimacy of only one city and one count...
Netanyahu discusses with US security advisor ‘normalizing ties’ with Saudi Arabia
Middle East

Netanyahu discusses with US security advisor ‘normalizing ties’ with Saudi Arabia

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia in talks with visiting White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Thursday, his office said. Netanyahu, who returned to power last month with the formation of a new government, was also at the helm in 2020 when Israel established ties with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco as part of the Abraham Accords. The Israeli premier has repeatedly expressed his desire to see Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, join the list. In their talks, Netanyahu and Sullivan discussed “measures to deepen the Abraham Accords and expand the cycle of peace, with an emphasis on a breakthrough with Saudi,” the Israeli leader's office said in a statement. They also discussed joint efforts to curb Ira...