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Yoni Ben Menachem

Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as director general and chief editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority.

Hamas is exploiting the diplomatic stalemate to delay demands for its disarmament, while working to consolidate its governance in the Gaza Strip, rebuild its military capabilities and continue terrorist activity against IDF forces.
Tehran is expected to use the negotiations in Islamabad to buy time to rebuild its military capabilities and erode American pressure.
The elimination of key figures has weakened the Axis of Resistance’s influence over public opinion and the broader regional system.
The assassination of Ali Larijani has shaken the regime’s centers of power and faced Mojtaba Khamenei with a critical test.
Jerusalem views the move as placing the new leader squarely in the crosshairs.
From regime change in Iran to preparing for a rising Sunni axis, Israel attempts to reengineer the regional order through a multilateral alliance.
Against the backdrop of Iran’s gradual weakening, a new Sunni coalition is beginning to take form in the Middle East. At its center stands Turkey, seeking regional leadership and signaling a reassessment of the nuclear option.
As the U.S. weighs Reza Pahlavi as a figure for transition, Israeli officials warn missing the chance to topple the ayatollahs could force repeated conflict.
The Islamic regime is facing growing pressures that threaten its stability and raise doubts about its ability to survive the current crisis.
In Israel, it is believed that as long as the Syrian leader attempts to wage a dual struggle against both ISIS and external actors such as Iran, his ability to achieve a decisive victory will remain limited.
Terrorist groups are establishing themselves in the area, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Houthi-affiliated elements, ISIS and Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya.
Jerusalem aims to systematically degrade the Islamic Republic’s ability to develop nuclear weapons over the long term.