Sajjadali Nayani ✍
Friday World 24/12/2025
The Gaza war, far from restoring Israel’s deterrent capability, exposed its deep-seated security vulnerabilities. Despite massive destruction and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, Israel could not completely crush Hamas. Full control over the Gaza Strip remains elusive, and Palestinian resistance continues to be a central element in the equation.
Similarly, while Hezbollah in Lebanon and Ansarallah (the Houthis) in Yemen sustained significant damage, both groups have preserved their reconstruction capacity, social base, and regional role. Israel’s policy of maximum military pressure failed to deliver the expected deterrent outcomes.
In 2025, Israel targeted Iran through both direct and indirect attacks, including a intense 12-day war in June. The objective was clear: to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, degrade its missile capabilities, and eliminate its regional influence. Yet, according to Al Jazeera, Iran managed to retain its strategic depth, core capabilities, and regional standing. While certain weaknesses were exposed, Iran was not removed from the regional power equation.
This conflict also highlights the resilience of the so-called “Axis of Resistance.” Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other allied forces continued to exert pressure on Israel, limiting the success of its broader strategy to tactical and temporary gains.
Ultimately, the outcome of these wars points to Israel’s growing isolation, a stall in normalization processes such as the Abraham Accords, and increasing instability across West Asia. Power has been redistributed, but no stable new order has yet emerged. The region now stands at a critical crossroads where old hegemonies face serious challenges and emerging forces are actively carving out their positions.
Sajjadali Nayani ✍
Friday World 24/12/2025
