Commentary

Will it reclaim its former strength and global influence, or continue on a path of decline?

Instead of viewing war as a continuation of policy, Trump is sabre-rattling, using force to forge agreements. Attacking the Houthis, pressuring Gaza and overtures to Russia are all part of a single campaign against Iran.

Netanyahu's government is taking more extreme positions and actions, exploiting the fighting to sow division and deepen rifts.

Turkey’s president has recently secured several unprecedented diplomatic achievements as part of a long-term, sophisticated policy of building "soft influence" alongside increasing military power. While Recep Tayyip Erdogan projects a conciliatory tone toward Europe, his stance in the Middle East remains as rigid as ever.

Despite the surprise and the scale of the targeted assassinations, the attack serves as a warning. It also sends a message to mediators Egypt and Qatar, which have suddenly shown increased activity in attempting to advance hostage negotiations.

Hamas, whose self-confidence and capabilities have strengthened considerably since the beginning of the ceasefire, rejected Israel's demands. Now the terrorist leaders are likely still wondering whether this is a limited action meant just to shock.

The decision that educational activities will not take place and the train line in Sderot will not operate is a bad habit that has become so deeply entrenched in the system that even a new defense minister and a fresh chief of staff have not managed to get rid of it.

The US military operation in Yemen serves as a direct signal to Iran, indicating a shift in American policy. The latest escalation presents an opportunity to dismantle Iran’s proxy model and reshape the regional order.

The pro-Israel community spent years fighting the wrong battles. While we exhausted our resources and energy combating isolated antisemitic incidents on campus – chasing down student government resolutions, protesting professors, and countering biased events – Qatar was quietly building an entire infrastructure of influence.

The successive purging of senior officials is usually reserved for totalitarian regimes. Using President Donald Trump as a source of inspiration is merely an excuse. It turns out that all that was achieved through the blood of the October 7 victims and the soldiers who fought in the difficult battles in various sectors will now be in vain.