Latest news with #proxywar
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Myths in ruin: Disarming Hezbollah in the wake of Iran's defeat
The regional order has changed – not gradually, but in a single, shattering blow. The war between Israel and Iran has concluded after a series of devastating Israeli and US strikes on Tehran's nuclear and ballistic infrastructure. These operations, which unfolded with the full approval and logistical support of US President Donald Trump, also included a coordinated strike that killed several top IRGC military and nuclear officials. It was a campaign designed not just to disrupt Iran's capabilities, but to shatter the illusion of untouchability surrounding its leadership and proxy network. This was not just a military success – it was a strategic rupture. Nowhere was this shift more palpable than in Lebanon. Hezbollah – the crown jewel in Iran's axis of influence – remained silent. Its much-hyped 'resistance' stood still as its patron was battered. This was not restraint. This was deterioration – operational, political, and symbolic. For years, Hezbollah thrived on mythology: the 'defender of Lebanon,' the 'deterrent to Israel,' the 'voice of the marginalized Shia.' Today, that mythology lies in ruins. The movement failed to act not because it chose peace, but because it could not afford escalation. The group's inability to retaliate during the most direct assault on Iran's sovereignty in recent memory speaks volumes about its declining capacity and fear of internal and regional backlash. This moment is as rare as it is volatile. Lebanon stands before a narrow window in which it can begin dismantling militia dominance, rebuild state legitimacy, and restore sovereignty. The path forward is clear: disarm Hezbollah, restore state institutions, and reclaim Lebanese sovereignty. Half-measures and appeasement have failed. If Lebanon is to survive, the era of armed militias must end. Hezbollah's weapons, veto power, and parallel institutions are not an internal Lebanese problem – they are a regional cancer. And yet, despite the passage of nearly two decades since UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of all non-state actors in Lebanon, Hezbollah continues to argue that its arms are untouchable. That must end. Claims by political allies of Hezbollah that the resolution applies only south of the Litani River are legally baseless and strategically dangerous. There can be no sovereign state with zones of impunity. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), while respected, remain hindered by political interference and Hezbollah infiltration. That, too, must be addressed. Washington's Lebanon policy must pivot – from containment to consequence. The United States must appoint a new ambassador to Beirut with a direct mandate: Enforce 1701, support institutional reform, and back the full disarmament of Hezbollah. Washington must also replace its current special envoy with a senior figure capable of confronting both Hezbollah's regional enablers and its Western protectors –chief among them France, whose ongoing indulgence of Hezbollah undermines any hope of progress. Sanctions must expand – not only against Hezbollah operatives but also their financiers, political allies, and business networks across banking, construction, and telecommunications. Compliance mechanisms must be enforced on institutions that enable or tolerate Hezbollah's armed presence. But pressure alone is not enough. A viable strategy requires strengthening Lebanon's civic immune system. Washington must double down on support for civil society, independent universities, and non-sectarian organizations – particularly in historically neglected regions like the Shia south and Beqaa Valley. Empowering Shia voices that reject militia dominance is essential to dismantling Hezbollah's false claim to community representation. President Joseph Aoun's inaugural promises must now be tested. If he truly stands for sovereignty and reform, let him prove it – by endorsing a disarmament timetable, implementing electoral reforms, and refusing all covert deals with Hezbollah or its allies. The narrative that disarming Hezbollah would spark civil war is fiction – a fear tactic propagated by those who benefit from armed chaos. In truth, what threatens Lebanon is not disarmament, but the continued normalization of militias. Many Lebanese – including Shia – are exhausted by the economic collapse, diplomatic isolation, and perpetual conflict that Hezbollah's weapons have brought. Media is a critical tool. Lebanese and regional platforms must be mobilized to shift public opinion. They must highlight Hezbollah's costs to the nation, amplify Shiia civil society voices demanding reform, and frame disarmament not as a threat, but as a patriotic imperative. Media must call out political obstruction, expose the price of militia dominance, and foster a narrative centered on sovereignty and lawfulness. This is not about punishing Lebanon – it's about rescuing it. The time for half-measures is over. The United States must reinforce its friends, isolate its adversaries, and support the emergence of a Lebanon defined not by militias, but by institutions. Lebanon cannot reclaim its future while armed factions claim its present. No more weapons outside the state. No more excuses. The war between Iran and Israel may be over, but Lebanon's fight – for sovereignty, law, and survival – has only just begun.
The National
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Israel-Iran conflict: How did things get here?
The recent hostilities between Israel and Iran may be seen as an unprecedented escalation in their long-standing conflict, which dates back to the inception of the Islamic Republic in 1979. The regional arch-rivals have long been engaged in a shadow war, which has unfolded through cyber warfare, attacks through proxies, limited direct assaults and most recently, the air war. From proxy war to direct conflict Hostilities have simmered for decades, tied to Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution and its perceived campaign to destroy Israel. The two nations have also clashed through proxies over the years, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian group Hamas. Some of the confrontations included limited tit-for-tat rocket exchanges and assassinations and cyber sabotage, such as Stuxnet, a program that was used by Israel to intercept nuclear centrifuges in Iran. By 2024, these proxy hostilities transformed into direct military exchanges. Israel, in offensives it said were linked to its war in Gaza after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks, carried out assassinations and attacked Iranian interests in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. A suspected Israeli air strike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus killed seven IRGC officers, including two senior commanders. Iran responded with a barrage of drones and missiles in a direct attack on Israel in April. Later in October, Iran fired missiles again after Israeli attacks on Iranian territory. June 13: Israel launches strikes 'Operation Rising Lion' Israeli attacks catch Iran off-guard: Israel sent more than 200 aircraft to attack Iran on June 13, including F‑35 stealth fighters, as part of its Operation Rising Lion. More than 330 strikes hit approximately 100 nuclear, military and strategic locations across Iran, including Natanz, Isfahan, Tehran and Parchin. Several senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists were killed along with dozens of civilians as Tehran was caught off-guard . Sabotage by Mossad reportedly disabled Iranian air defences, paving the way for deep strikes. Israel claims its main objective is to take down the Iranian nuclear programme. Iran immediately responds: Launching its retaliatory operation, True Promise III, Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at central Israel, aiming for Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba. Israel's Iron Dome defences intercepted most, but several strikes caused civilian injuries and inflicted damage. Through the following week, the exchange left at least 24 Israeli civilians dead, scores injured, while Iranian casualties reached the hundreds, amid widespread destruction and civilians fleeing major cities. June 14- 21 : Retaliatory attacks continue Israel continued air raids on Tehran, Isfahan, Natanz, and parts of Iran − several of them nuclear enrichment sites. The air campaign destroyed oil and gas installations, intelligence buildings,more missile bases and airports. Some of these strikes were also carried out in densely populated civilian areas such as Tehran. Satellite images released by Maxar and Planet Labs PBC began to show the level of destruction of harder-to-reach military and nuclear energy sites across the country. Equally, Iran's missile barrages persisted, breaching Iron Dome defences, striking cities such as Tel Aviv, oil complexes in Haifa and hospitals in the south. June 22: US enters with Midnight Hammer On June 22, after hints and warnings of American intervention from President Donald Trump, the conflict reached a new level: US B‑2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles struck Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear plants as part of Operation Midnight Hammer. Mr Trump described the attacks as 'very successful' - although Iran downplayed their impact. The US intervention marked a significant shift in the scale of the war, but domestically, Mr Trump's decision drew bipartisan criticism for bypassing Congressional authorisation. June 23 : Regional impact as Iran strikes US base in Qatar What followed was a characteristic yet shocking retaliation. Iran fired missiles at the US military base in Qatar. One landed, causing no casualties; all others were intercepted. Meanwhile, Israel continued air raids on Tehran and western Iran. Regional airspace in one of the world's busiest aviation routes was disrupted. Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and other Gulf carriers suspended or rerouted dozens of flights June 24 : A sudden ceasefire? A sudden ceasefire was announced by Trump overnight. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has agreed to the truce proposal, and later Iranian state TV reported that the ceasefire had begun. Israel then ordered strikes on Tehran after accusing Iran of violating the truce – an allegation rejected by Iran.
Russia Today
01-06-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Ukraine conflict a NATO ‘proxy war'
Russian President Vladimir Putin is right in considering the Ukraine conflict a proxy war against Russia, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg told Fox News in an interview on Sunday. He said that while he believes the peace process will ultimately succeed, 'escalatory issues' remain. Kellogg referred to comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who last month indicated that Berlin would be open to supplying Kiev with Taurus cruise missiles. Kellogg addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin's perspective, saying 'he considers this a proxy war by NATO. And frankly… in a way it is.' 'The escalatory issues are still there,' Kellogg said. 'Chancellor Merz has said: well, I'm going to give the Ukrainians the Taurus missile system.' The German cruise missiles have a range of roughly 300 miles (482 km), which can allow Ukrainian strikes to reach deep into Russian territory, Kellog said. He added that Putin has made it clear: if such weapons are supplied to Ukraine, Russia will regard the suppliers as a party to the conflict. 'He considers this a proxy war by NATO. And frankly… in a way it is.' Russia can clearly see the other Western military support Ukraine is receiving, Kellogg added. 'Everybody has got to be willing to step back a bit,' and compromise, to get the peace process 'to an end state,' the envoy said. Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Merz's 'provocative' statements 'hinder peaceful efforts.' Moscow has stressed that any Ukrainian use of German Taurus missiles against Russian territory will be viewed as Berlin's direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict, as the armaments' use is impossible without the participation of Bundeswehr service members. Last year, after Trump's predecessor Joe Biden allowed the use of US ATACMS ballistic missiles in long-range strikes on Russian territory, Moscow retaliated by revamping its strategic doctrine and lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. Russia now considers any strike by a non-nuclear state backed up by a nuclear one as a joint attack. Both Kellogg and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have previously characterized the conflict as a proxy war. 'Frankly, it's a proxy war between nuclear powers – the United States, helping Ukraine, and Russia,' Rubio said in March, noting that the current White House administration is eager to see it end. Moscow has long designated the Ukraine conflict as a Western proxy war against Russia and repeatedly condemned arms supplies to Kiev as counterproductive to the peace process.
Russia Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Israel and Ukraine fighting ‘proxy wars' for the West
Israel's military operation against Hamas is a 'proxy war' being waged on behalf of the UK, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed in an interview with Sky News. Badenoch made the remarks on Sunday, commenting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent statement that the UK, France, and Canada are on 'the wrong side of humanity' for trying to pressure his country to end its campaign in the Palestinian enclave. The Tory leader dismissed accusations that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide, arguing that it is justified in its fight against Hamas, and that the conflict also serves the interests of the UK. 'Who funds Hamas? Iran – an enemy of this country. Israel is fighting a proxy war on behalf of the UK,' Badenoch said. She went on to say that the Ukraine conflict is similarly a proxy war against Russia being waged on behalf of Western Europe. The Russian Embassy in London later reposted a clip of Badenoch's interview, saying the Conservative leader has 'finally called a spade a spade.' 'Ukraine is indeed fighting a proxy-war against Russia on behalf of Western interests. The illegitimate Kiev regime, created, financed and armed by the West, has been at it since 2014,' the embassy wrote on Facebook. It went on to say that Badenoch's own party was responsible for telling the Ukrainians to 'keep fighting' when a potential peace settlement was on the verge of being signed in 2022. 'The result has been an unmitigated disaster for Ukraine and its people, as well as an unprecedented security crisis in Europe.' In March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a similar admission when he said the Ukraine conflict is in fact a 'proxy war between nuclear powers – the United States, helping Ukraine – and Russia.' Throughout the conflict, Moscow has repeatedly described the hostilities as a Western-led proxy war against Russia in which Ukrainians are being used as 'cannon fodder.' Russian officials have argued that the US and other Western powers intentionally escalated tensions in the region by disregarding Russia's national security concerns over NATO expansion in Eastern Europe and Ukraine's potential admission into the military bloc. Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said Russia is currently standing alone against the Collective West and is locked in an 'existential war.'
The Independent
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Russia seizes on Badenoch's claim Ukraine is fighting a ‘proxy war' on behalf of Western Europe
Russia has seized on comments by the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch that Ukraine is fighting a 'proxy war' on behalf of Western Europe. Russia's embassy in London shared a clip of Ms Badenoch, claiming she had 'called a spade a spade'. The Kremlin has long tried to justify its invasion of Ukraine by claiming Nato is using the country as a proxy for war. In an interview with Sky News on Sunday the Tory leader also claimed Israel is fighting a 'proxy war on behalf of the UK' in Gaza against Hamas. She said: 'Israel is fighting a proxy war on behalf of the UK, just like Ukraine is on behalf of western Europe against Russia. We have to get serious.' A clip of the interview was later shared by the Facebook account of Russia's London. Embassy, and a spokesman wrote: 'Ukraine is indeed fighting a proxy war against Russia on behalf of Western interests. The illegitimate Kyiv regime, created, financed and armed by the West, has been at it since 2014. 'Remember, Kemi Badenoch hails from the same Conservative Party whose former leader and prime minister Boris Johnson, when peace was at hand, went to Kyiv and told the Ukrainians to 'just fight'.' The post was later shared by Russia's foreign ministry. Last October, Andrei Kelin, Russia's ambassador to the UK, came under fire when he claimed the war in Ukraine was a 'proxy war led by the United Kingdom's government'. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, also triggered outrage when he told the BBC in the run up to last year's election that the West 'provoked' the invasion with the expansion of Nato and the European Union. At the time James Cleverly, the Tory former home secretary, said he was echoing the Russian leader's 'vile justification' for the war. A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch said that Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine were 'fighting for democracy and against Putin's aggressive fascism'. He told the Telegraph, which first reported the story: 'Kemi is proud of the support the Conservative Party has shown for President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine, who are fighting for democracy and against Putin's aggressive fascism. 'Everyone in the UK should be very careful about promoting or repeating Russian propaganda that seeks to undermine Ukraine's cause.'
