2024 compelled Israel to stop reacting to the current reality and start shaping it, albeit reluctantly. It began in Gaza and recently extended to Lebanon. The issue is that even this approach remains largely "reactive": no overarching vision or positive goal is steering it. It's being driven by events as much as it's driving them. Eliminating a high-ranking official or destroying a warehouse somewhere isn't enough to fundamentally alter Israel's strategic position. That requires a goal, a guiding question. What should Israel be asking?
I propose an answer. Hamas and Hezbollah are mere components of Iran's broader proxy network across the Middle East. Iran's influence and claim to regional power status hinge on this network. It resembles old empires: members of this network recruit or subjugate local populations to serve Tehran's agenda. Hamas and Hezbollah, self-proclaimed "defenders of the oppressed," are ultimately soldiers in Iran's imperial project.
Persian Imperialism
This project naturally breeds fear and creates adversaries. In Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, leaders and citizens warily eye the rising Persian empire, striving to cast off its yoke. Israel stood idle for far too long. For too long, Israel limited its strategic goal regarding Iran to maintaining a balance of power and slowing down the growth of the Iranian imperial project.
Israel must declare its intention to roll back Iranian influence. We won't deploy troops to fight others' battles, but we'll extend a hand to those seeking freedom from Iran and peaceful coexistence with Israel. Those unwilling to live peacefully alongside us pose a threat akin to Iran, merely biding their time. This approach allows Israel to exert military pressure on Iranian proxies and Iran itself until Tehran withdraws its influence from the region.
Will we find such allies – those who oppose Iran and are open to reconciliation with us? It's possible. As they witness Israel striking their gravest enemy and recognize that Israel symbolizes freedom while Israel's adversaries promise subjugation and conflict, both moral and strength advantages shift to our side. Supporting us becomes both ethically justified and pragmatically beneficial – a bond not easily severed.
Such a positive goal could generate regional momentum that not only severely undermines Iran but also advances normalization between Israel and the Arab world. It could foster acceptance of Israel by Arab states, if not the entire Arab populace. Israel emerges as the guardian of regional freedom – the sole entity willing not just to confront Iran and its proxies but to actively challenge them. Therefore, even if war looms – in this, I place my trust.
