The strike in retaliation by Iran against the Israeli
attack on its embassy in Damascus was a warning that Iran can take down
the 'Iron Dome' defense system. The Israelis have considered that
scenario in its retaliation, after that Iranian strike, not to cross the
line.
The Israeli retaliation also had the same motive - to test
the Iranian defense capabilities and Israeli drones were successfully
shot down, with little damage being reported. From another angle it was a
token move by Israel to regain some of its lost prestige over the
Iranian strike, where its airfields were successfully targeted by Iran.
Netanyahu had to put on a show to satisfy critics that were pushing him
to retaliate.
I think Israel has lost its bearings, is condemned
and more isolated, even by countries that were previously sympathetic
to its cause. According to Chas Freeman, the former US defense
department diplomat in an interview with Nima R. Alkhorshid on the site
'Dialogue Works', Freeman holds the view that Iran's attack on Israel
has destroyed all of Israel's calculations.
Elsewhere in
interviews, he was also of the view that the USA also lost the last of
its influence in the Middle East, after some Muslim allies categorically
refused to allow the USA to attempt to use facilities in their
territories to station logistics to counter any Iranian counterstrike
should Israel cross the Iranian 'Red Line. This was possibly the reason
why Israel and the USA did not go on to escalate the conflict with Iran.
They knew that their planes need tankers for refueling flying all the
way to Iran and back.
Now Israel is back to commit its genocides
in Gaza. Even if Israel could take over the Gaza strip and build Israeli
settlements there, will it enjoy any peace going forward, with
Hezbollah at its doorstep and the remnants of Hamas advocating revenge?
Geopolitics in the Middle East is changing and changing drastically with more violence on the cards.
Anonymous