This famous French expression « à la guerre comme à la guerre », date back to the 17th century remains as relevant as ever. Since biblical times and throughout the great odysseys, military campaigns have been won only through total victory and the surrender of the enemy. Like sporting competitions, there is no such thing as a partial victory or a near-defeat; a draw is also out of the question because it will not resolve a long-term conflict. Since the founding of the Jewish state, we have felt this in our very being. All the wars, including the one we are currently waging against the Arab and Muslim world, prove this sad truth.
However, this expression does not mean that it has allowed a military power to behave like rogue states, such as barbarians or bloodthirsty Islamist terrorists. A democracy never loses its values, its purpose, and its soul. It respects the agreements and treaties it has signed and complies with international law.
It seems that the United States and Iran do not want a return to large-scale fighting, but a war of attrition is equally pointless. The current clashes will not deter Iran from opening the Strait of Hormuz or the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Horn of Africa, threatened by the Houthis in Yemen, to free maritime traffic. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) holds a major strategic and economic advantage there, a true trump card. They are engaged in an existential struggle and can endure greater sacrifices because the fanatical Shiite religion is deeply ingrained in people's minds.
Therefore, the Iranian regime will refuse to make concessions. It will also not back down on ballistic missiles or the nuclear program, especially now that we have learned that thousands of centrifuges have been transferred to an underground complex located in "Pickaxe Mountain," 200 kilometers south of Tehran.
Trump wants to suffocate the Iranian economy but he is aware of the limits, the stakes and the repercussions on the global economy as oil prices soar again.
Hitting civilian infrastructure like power grids would plunge the Iranian people into darkness and backfire on America.
Unfortunately, Trump made several strategic and tactical errors and demonstrated a complete misunderstanding of the Revolutionary Guards' true intentions. From the outset, he refused to wage an all-out war and then signed a memorandum of understanding that the Iranians turned into a worthless piece of paper.
Despite all of Trump's threats and promises, the regime is still in power and Iran is still capable of severely retaliating against American raids and causing considerable loss of life and damage.
The enthusiasm of the Iranian people has also waned, and they fear the worst. Paralyzed by terror and oppression, the public execution of opponents, deeply disappointed in the United States and the international community, and mired in poverty, this nation is desperately seeking a lifeline.
Israel is closely monitoring the situation but, for the time being, should not intervene alone without prior and close coordination with the United States. Given the impressive American presence deployed in our country and throughout the region, it would therefore be wise not to venture onto a distant front, thousands of kilometers from our borders. Of course, we cannot tolerate attacks from Iran, Hezbollah, or the Houthis, but let President Trump manage this conflict in his own way.
Its interests are different from ours, especially since we are in the middle of an election campaign, Israeli society is tired of wars and the IDF lacks the personnel to ensure security on all fronts.
Let's instead find suitable and pragmatic solutions on our own doorstep, in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
President Joseph Aoun's visit to the White House could revive normalization with Israel, isolate Hezbollah, and sideline Iran from the region. The American president must seize this opportunity to strengthen his international standing. By achieving a diplomatic and historic success with the support of Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf states, Israel can improve its relations with the Arab world and enhance its international image.
Finally, in order to truly apply the expression "à la guerre comme à la guerre," Donald Trump will have to adapt to a complex situation he himself created. He has no alternative but to agree to return to negotiations, but this time more seriously and from a position of strength.
