Israel's Secret Weapon in an Era of Shifting US-Iran Rules
While Donald Trump cuts losses and Gulf states trade with Tehran, Israel relies on its own assets to ensure survival in the Middle East.
Even before the establishment of the state, leaders of the Jewish Yishuv utilized intelligence exchanges with Arab countries to advance political interests. After independence, the political echelon refined this approach. The operational capabilities of the IDF and the intelligence community, combined with the advancements of Israeli high-tech, have bolstered Israel's strength for years, often accelerating political processes from the shadows.
Any statesman knows that relationships not anchored by superpower-mediated agreements and permanent diplomatic representation can be severed at any moment. However, reality proves that superpowers play by different rules. Therefore, Israel must continue to accelerate its technological engine, promote high-tech companies, and constantly refine its intelligence community to ensure these capabilities remain the foundation for any political process.
Significant shifts are reshaping the Middle East. The tremors are caused less by Iran and more by the USA, which arrived unprepared for combat. Consequently, due to a lack of military readiness in manpower and stockpiles, US President Donald Trump has had to adapt to the current reality.
He shifted quickly to the political arena, attempting to cut costs and losses. However, Arab allies have viewed this process with concern, fearing the implications regarding Iran. While they continue to purchase American weaponry, they are actively developing dialogue channels with Tehran, realizing they must bolster their own defense lines.
For instance, the UAE is engaging in new channels with Iran, including discussions on unfreezing bank accounts, while Saudi Arabia is renewing old agreements with nuclear-armed Pakistan, incorporating Turkey as a regional counterweight to the extremist Shiite threat.
The lesson of October 7 is that Israel must rely primarily on itself, viewing all other support as a "bonus."
In practice, over the last three years, despite intelligence failures, the October 7 massacre, and a multi-front war, Israel has upgraded its deterrence capability. Yet, the country remains burdened by significant challenges: the Iranian nuclear project, surface-to-surface missiles, long-range UAVs, the hovering threat of revenge, and a massive regional arms race. These factors demand huge security investments despite the national deficit.
The IDF is preparing with proven capabilities, including surprises yet to be revealed. The public must learn to filter out political background noise, particularly with upcoming elections, and focus on security realities.
New regional alliances and shifting superpower interests prove that in the new Middle East, external backing is a luxury, while independent power is a necessary condition for survival.
