Analysis

There may be a change in Iranian policy towards the US due to Iran’s economic and coronavirus difficulties.

The assumption that the virus will curb Middle East conflicts does not stand the test of reality. Israel must remain on high security alert.

While experts say there’s been a “significant and positive shift” in cooperation between Israel and the Palestinians due to COVID-19, much uncertainty remains regarding what will happen if the situation in the P.A. and Gaza deteriorates.

The coronavirus pandemic offers Hezbollah a rare opportunity to present itself as a Lebanese movement that acts on behalf of the Lebanese state.

Hamas launched a rocket last week into Israel. Internally, if any popular or social unrest rises against Hamas due to economic woes or its handling of the coronavirus, it will be channeled very quickly by the terror organization towards Israel, possibly leading to a new round of clashes or even a broader conflict.

According to intelligence assessments, the regime’s distress – perhaps the most severe since the Khomeini revolution in 1979 – could drive it to seek to fortify its position inside the republic and externally against the world.

Hudson Institute senior fellow Michael Doran doesn’t foresee any changes, at least until after the US presidential elections in November, saying “until then, we are frozen in place.”

The spread of the pandemic highlights the difference between the rich Gulf states and the poorer Arab countries where health care is already lacking, and send people out into the streets.

The shock move splintered Gantz's centrist Blue and White faction just 13 months after it was formed. Some commentators accused the former IDF chief of caving in to Netanyahu. Israel Resilience MK Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh: A leader does not betray his principles and his electorate.

Once the pandemic is defeated, it will be business as usual and the terrorist groups will be back to targeting Isreal.