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Arab News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Middle East must prioritize diplomacy over conflict
The Middle East stands at a crossroads as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, marked by the recent Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran's retaliatory ballistic missile barrages. This exchange signaled more than a military skirmish; it heralds a transformative phase in regional geopolitics, challenging the balance of power and raising urgent questions about stability. This article explores the conflict's dynamics, its regional and global implications, and proposes a path toward diplomacy and coexistence, drawing on historical insights and balanced perspectives. The conflict's latest chapter began with Israel's targeted strike on Iran's Fordow nuclear facility, a move that signaled a bold escalation in its strategy against Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran's vast geography allows it to disperse strategic assets, complicating defense but enabling resilience. Israel, conversely, benefits from compact, fortified defenses but faces vulnerabilities due to its concentrated infrastructure. Iran's missile response showcased its capacity to project power, underscoring a rebalanced military equation. Such tit-for-tat attacks risks spiraling into broader conflict, with significant human and economic costs. Israel's economy, for instance, faces daily losses estimated at half a billion dollars during intense operations. While both sides demonstrate military prowess, escalation threatens regional stability, underscoring the need for de-escalation to prevent further devastation. The 12-day conflict exposed strategic disarray in Israel and the US. In Israel, public support for the military action against Iran was strong, with 82 percent of its Jewish citizens backing the operations, according to polls. Yet, 70 percent of respondents, including 88 percent of Palestinian citizens, expressed concern over the war's economic and social toll, reflecting a nuanced public sentiment. In the US, political divisions complicated the response. A CNN poll indicated 56 percent of Americans opposed its strikes on Iran, with 60 percent fearing heightened threats to US security. Democrats (88 percent) and independents (60 percent) largely opposed military action, while Republicans (82 percent) generally supported it. This lack of consensus weakens coordinated policy, amplifying regional uncertainty. Escalation threatens regional stability, underscoring the need for de-escalation to prevent further devastation Dr. Turki Faisal Al-Rasheed Saudi Arabia offers a counterpoint, advocating for stability through diplomacy. Recognizing that military solutions, such as destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities, could ignite further chaos, the Kingdom prioritizes regional alliances and dialogue. This approach contrasts with Israel's reliance on force under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose strategy intertwines national security with political survival amid domestic challenges. George Modelski's long cycle theory provides context, framing global leadership as cyclical, with hegemonic powers rising and declining over roughly 100-year periods. The US, the current hegemon arguably since 1914, faces declining influence as challengers emerge. This shift influences Middle Eastern dynamics, where Iran and Israel vie for regional dominance amid a multipolar global order. Similarly, Ibn Khaldun's 14th-century cyclical theory likens states to living organisms, rising through triumph and declining through internal decay. In this conflict, Iran's resilience and Israel's vulnerabilities reflect these cycles, suggesting that internal cohesion and strategic foresight will determine their trajectories. The strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities tested the regime's resilience. Bolstered by national identity and complex ethnic ties, Iran differs from Iraq's post-2003 collapse. The regime's durability suggests that external pressure alone is unlikely to topple it. Former CIA Director Leon Panetta has warned that targeting Iran risks a regional war, citing Iraq's invasion as a cautionary tale. Iran's response could ultimately escalate tensions, potentially unifying its factions around a nuclear agenda. Matthew Bunn, a nuclear expert at Harvard, notes that while Iran's conventional military was weakened by the sustained Israeli strikes, the nuclear program's long-term setback is limited. Hard-liners advocating for a bomb may now gain influence, diminishing prospects for negotiated enrichment limits. Samuel Huntington's clash of civilizations theory frames Western dominance as rooted in organized violence; a lens critics argue justifies aggression against the Islamic world. The West's history of colonial exploitation and modern conflicts, from Iraq to Palestine, fuels regional distrust. Media exposure of the limited Gaza aid and continued arms support for Israel despite global protests reinforces this narrative. While Western dissent exists, its impact remains limited, underscoring the challenge of altering entrenched policies. Saudi Arabia's model of coexistence offers a blueprint, emphasizing cooperative frameworks to ease tensions Dr. Turki Faisal Al-Rasheed In the Arab world, a nihilistic outlook attributing setbacks to external conspiracies often overshadows internal governance failures. Overcoming this requires embracing justice and strategic management to build resilient societies. The Middle East's future hinges on prioritizing diplomacy over conflict. Historical interventions, like those in Iraq and Afghanistan, demonstrate that military victories are fleeting and destabilizing. Saudi Arabia's model of coexistence offers a blueprint, emphasizing cooperative frameworks to ease tensions. Addressing humanitarian crises, such as Gaza's plight, is critical to reducing regional friction. Israel must reassess its reliance on force, while Iran should engage in good-faith negotiations to reintegrate globally. A collective pause in hostilities on all fronts could pave the way for dialogue, fostering a new Middle Eastern order rooted in mutual respect. The Arab world must counter defeatist narratives by focusing on internal strengths, justice, governance and resource security. As the adage warns, 'when nations change, guard your head.' Strategic caution, including securing food, water and energy, is essential amid transformative shifts. The Iranian-Israeli conflict marks a pivotal moment for the Middle East, where competing visions of security and stability collide. While Israel and the US lean on military might, Saudi Arabia's diplomatic approach offers a viable alternative. History warns that wars complicate rather than resolve disputes. By embracing dialogue and addressing internal weaknesses, regional powers can forge a stable, cooperative future, break the cycle of conflict and build a new era of coexistence. • Dr. Turki Faisal Al-Rasheed is an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona's College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, in the Department of Biosystems Engineering. He is the author of 'Agricultural Development Strategies: The Saudi Experience.' X: @TurkiFRasheed
MTV Lebanon
a day ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Israeli Army: Lebanese Government Responsible for What Is Happening
In the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon earlier today, Israeli Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued a statement on X addressing reports of civilian casualties and property damage. The airstrikes reportedly targeted a Hezbollah position said to be used for fire management and protection. However, Lebanese media claimed that a nearby civilian building was hit, resulting in injuries. Adraee denied these allegations, stating that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had not targeted any civilian infrastructure. "According to the information available to us," he wrote, "the building was struck by a rocket-propelled munition that was stored inside the Hezbollah site and detonated as a result of the strike." Adraee went on to condemn Hezbollah, accusing the group of endangering civilians by storing weapons near populated areas. 'The terrorist Hezbollah continues to store its aggressive rockets near residential buildings and the Lebanese population, putting them at risk,' he said. He further asserted that Hezbollah's refusal to hand over its arsenal to the Lebanese state constitutes a persistent threat to residents in southern Lebanon. In his statement, Adraee also placed blame on the Lebanese government, holding it responsible for the current situation. 'The Lebanese government bears responsibility for what is happening on its territory due to its failure to confiscate Hezbollah's heavy weapons and rocket stockpiles,' he stated. The exchange adds to growing tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border, amid escalating confrontations between the Israeli military and Hezbollah in recent weeks.
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump neutralized Iran. But one big Middle East threat still looms
The world is a safer place because of the destruction of Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities thanks to the bold and effective actions of the U.S. military and the Trump administration. This decisive action follows the Israelis' resolute response to the Iranian-backed October 7th sneak attack on its defenseless civilians. Over the last 21 months, the Israelis have degraded Iran's military capabilities and decapitated their fanatical leadership. While these actions have crippled Iran's conventional weapons, they have dramatically increased the risk of Iranian terror proxy attacks against U.S. citizens across the globe. The greatest risk is presented by the Iranian-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah, which is responsible for the death of more Americans than any other terrorist organization. Since the late '70s Hezbollah has maintained a well-documented presence in the U.S., mainly for terror fundraising, but these so-called sleeper units can instantly morph into violent and lethal operational cells. An example of Hezbollah's enduring presence in the U.S. was the prosecution of a Hezbollah cell in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This case marked a significant chapter in the efforts to combat transnational terrorism on American soil. The investigation, which lasted four years, uncovered a network of criminals and criminal acts supporting international terrorism, demonstrating the global reach of Hezbollah and its strategic presence in American cities. Hezbollah members from the Charlotte cell were arrested, tried and convicted in a federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina. The case brought against the cell included copyright, cigarette tax and counterfeit violations, as well as bank scams, bribery, credit card fraud, identity theft, immigration fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, and "material support to a terrorist organization." Federal courts estimate the cell collected a total of $8 million, funneled through some 500 different bank accounts. Mohamad Youssef Hammoud, the cell's leader, was sentenced to 155 years in federal prison. Hammoud's older brother, Shawqi Youssef, (a.k.a. "Bassem"), and "right-hand man," received a prison sentence of 70 years. Overall, 26 people were indicted in the operation. Similar cases were later uncovered across the US. If anyone doubts the commitment of Iran and Hezbollah to killing Americans wherever they can find them, consider the following: A June 2022 study by the George Washington University program on extremism identified 128 individual examples of Hezbollah activity in the US. According to the study: "The majority of cases involved small, centralized hubs of Hezbollah operatives who engage in illegal activities in conjunction with wider criminal enterprises to create an array of networks across America." The misguided prioritization of the FBI during the Biden administration on "white supremacist" organizations diverted precious resources away from the greatest threat in its mission portfolio. As a result, the intelligence community is playing catch-up in a no-fail responsibility: to prevent harm to American citizens and interests at the hands of small cells or fanatical single operatives heeding the call from their Iranian masters to activate. It is an absolute certainty that the Biden administration's reckless open-border policies created an unprecedented opportunity for a host of additional international terror cells and individual fanatics to infiltrate into the U.S. The previous administration threw the door open to terrorists and criminals of every description. Border Czar Tom Homan reported that Biden's policies resulted in the capture and release of over 1,272 Iranian nationals who have melted into this country unvetted and unmonitored. In addition, there were over 2 million "got-aways." In April 1983, a suicide bomber in a pickup truck loaded with explosives rammed into the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. Now that Iran's military capabilities have been greatly diminished, Hezbollah will revert to its origins as the most prolific and capable terrorist organization in the world. Other terror groups will do the same. The FBI, law enforcement and the intelligence community must be in hyperdrive to address what Homan has described as "the biggest national security vulnerability." Prevention of terrorist attacks in the homeland in the post-Biden era presents the greatest challenge since 9-11 and no resource should be spared in supporting this mission.
Yemen Online
a day ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Ballistic Missile from Yemen Falls in Central Israel, Triggers Alarms but Causes No Casualties
A ballistic missile launched from Yemen early Thursday morning landed in an open area near central Israel, according to the Israeli military, marking the latest escalation in cross-border tensions involving the Iran-backed Houthi movement. The missile, reportedly aimed at the Tel Aviv area, penetrated Israeli airspace from the southeast before falling in an unpopulated zone approximately six kilometers from Ben Gurion Airport. The impact caused a fire but no injuries or significant damage were reported. Air raid sirens sounded across Tel Aviv and surrounding cities, prompting residents to seek shelter. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that interceptor missiles from the Arrow defense system were launched, but it remains unclear whether the missile was successfully intercepted or fell before impact. Israeli media outlets reported that debris from an interceptor missile landed near a train station in Modi'in, while authorities temporarily suspended operations at Ben Gurion Airport as a precaution. The Houthi military spokesperson later claimed responsibility, stating that the missile targeted Ben Gurion Airport and warning airlines to avoid the area, calling it 'unsafe'. This incident follows a series of long-range attacks by the Houthis in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, and comes amid heightened regional tensions despite recent ceasefire efforts between Iran and Israel.
DW
2 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Three Palestinians killed after attack by Israeli settlers – DW – 06/26/2025
Dozens of Israeli settlers set fire to houses and cars, resulting in the army intervening and three Palestinians shot dead. DW has all the updates. US President Donald Trump called on the Israeli authorities to cancel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was "shocked to hear" that the trial continues, calling it a "ridiculous witch hunt against" Netanyahu, which Trump labeled as "Great War Time Prime Minister." Trump also said the trial is "politically motivated." According to Trump, the trial should be canceled, or alternatively, Netanyahu should be pardoned. "It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu," Trump posted. Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of Trust, with the trial beginning in 2020. He denies the allegations against him. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video US and Iranian officials are set to meet next week in an attempt to refuel the nuclear negotiations between the two sides, President Donald Trump said. The meeting comes as the ceasefire between Israel and Iran has been holding, with Trump having brokered the truce. "We may sign an agreement, I don't know," Trump told reporters. "The way I look at it, they fought, the war is done." Iran has not acknowledged talks taking place next week, although Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said there had been contact between the countries. Three Palestinians were shot dead in the West Bank following an attack by Israeli settlers and the following intervention by the Israeli army, local officials reported. Seven others were injured, one of them critically. The local mayor said that more than 100 settlers attacked the village of Kafr Malik, northeast of Ramallah, by setting vehicles and houses on fire. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said on its X account that "dozens" of Israelis set fire to property in al-Mughayyir, another nearby village. US President Donald Trump said officials from Iran and the US are set to meet next week in a bid to refuel talks over a nuclear deal. This comes as the ceasefire between Iran and Israel appears to be holding. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers carried out attacks against a Palestinian village. Three Palestinians were shot dead. Follow along for the latest news on the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, as well as news, videos and analyses from the wider Middle East region.
