Jonathan Spyer

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TOPSHOT - Syrian residents in Turkey wave Syrian opposition flags as they celebrate the fall of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad after rebel fighters took control of the Syrian capital Damascus overnight, in Istanbul on December 8, 2024. Turkey's foreign minister said on December 8, 2024 the country wanted to help "guarantee security" in Syria after the fall of president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an offensive by Islamist-led rebels. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

Assad collapses into dust thanks to weak Tehran

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria marks the eclipse of Iran’s self-styled axis of resistance in the Middle East.

Jonathan Spyer

INQUIRERInquirer

Hezbollah bought itself undone by its decision to launch a low-level war against Israel in solidarity with Hamas after the October 7 massacre last year.

Israel’s ceasefire with Hezbollah is a terminal blow to the hopes of Hamas

The decision by Hezbollah to quit the field is the latest and most terminal event in the trend of dwindling resistance. Hamas in Gaza now remains alone.

Jonathan Spyer

commentaryCommentary

TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the outskirts of the southern Lebanese village of Aishiyeh on October 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by AFP)

Mid-East enemies locked into war of measured escalation

While a further Iranian response to Israel’s recent airstrike is possible, it looks unlikely as Iran wants to get back to conducting its war through expendable proxies.

Jonathan Spyer

inquirerInquirer

There was a general sense in Israel before October 7 last year that the foundations of the house were secure.

Notes from a long war: Israel one year on from the October 7 massacre

This war on the ‘villa in the jungle’ was launched to test a thesis. It has been disproven at a very high cost.

Jonathan Spyer

InquirerInquirer

TOPSHOT - An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks past a Palestinian woman sitting in front of a fresh juice shop in the Old City of Jerusalem on August 9, 2024. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

In Jerusalem, we wait for Tehran to play its hand

Israel calls Iran’s bluff, but how the Iranians respond will affect the entire region.

Jonathan Spyer

CommentaryCommentary

Benjamin Netanyahu is under huge pressure.

Israel is at a crossroad … It must act now

The strategic advantage remains with Iran and its proxies. This is because through long years of complacency, Israel allowed Iran to build up two Islamist armies on its borders.

Jonathan Spyer

commentaryThe Wall Street Journal

Smoke plumes rise from a fire in a field after rockets launched from southern Lebanon landed near Katzrin in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights on June 13, 2024 amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP)

No time to fiddle as Hezbollah burns northern Israel

With a very real prospect of open warfare with Hezbollah and a wider regional conflagration, Jerusalem needs to formulate a comprehensive strategy against the threat from Lebanon.

Jonathan Spyer

commentaryCommentary

Demonstrators burn an Israeli flag during the funeral for seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members killed in a strike in Syria, which Iran blamed on Israel, in Tehran on April 5, 2024. The Guards, including two generals, were killed in the air strike on April 1, which levelled the Iranian embassy's consular annex in Damascus. The funeral ceremony coincides with the annual Quds (Jerusalem) Day commemorations, when Iran and its allies stage marches in support of the Palestinians. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

Turning point in long campaign of Tehran’s leaders

The statement from the Iranian UN delegation that the matter can now be ‘deemed concluded’ indicates that Iran hopes to get back to the proxy warfare strategy. The ball is now in Israel’s court.

Jonathan Spyer

WAR BEHIND THE WARInquirer

Iranians burn Israeli and US flags during a protest at Palestine square in Tehran, on April 1, 2024. Israeli air strikes destroyed the Iranian embassy's consular annex in Damascus on April 1, Syrian and Iranian officials said, with a top Revolutionary Guard commander among eight reported to have been killed amid worsening regional tensions. (Photo by AFP)

World focus on Gaza, but another conflict may soon explode

It is not by chance that the highest-ranking Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps official killed by Israel so far in this conflict was operating out of Damascus.

Jonathan Spyer

INQUIRERInquirer

‘There’s no safe path there’: The long fight to disarm Hamas

Israel’s war in Gaza has been under way for three months and is at a hinge point. Speaking to Inquirer, IDF soldiers describe a constantly shifting and confusing battlescape.

Jonathan Spyer

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