The Iran-Israel-Syria War: The Stakes Are Higher Than You Think

Dubai: Israel ’s blistering attack with warplanes and drones against Iran ’s nuclear and military structure has sparked an open conflict between the two long-time foes that threatens to spiral. After years of engaging in shadowy tit-for-tat operations, Iran and Israel ' s unofficial battle in Syria has been thrust out into the open by an unprecedented attack in the Syrian capital. As noted by Iran’s former minister of foreign affairs, Javad Zarif , Israel has bombed Iran’s positions in Syria more than 200 times, which were left without an Iranian response. Since the war began nearly 10 years ago in Syria , with Tehran supporting Bashar Assad’s brutal regime, Iran has embarked on a range of strategies to increase its influence on Israel ’s. MARSEILLE — Syria has long been a key battleground in Iran and Israel’s shadow war. But since October 7—when Iran-backed Hamas launched its ground incursion into Israel from Gaza—attacks on and from Syrian territory have proliferated in scale and scope. 5 days ago · NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Michael Wahid Hanna of the International Crisis Group about the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and other diplomatic efforts to stabilize the wider region. For Israel, the stakes are high . The chaos could spill into neighboring Lebanon and Iraq, and no amount of military might can fully insulate Israel from the ripple effects of a fractured. 3 days ago · As the United States continues military support for Israel amid rising regional tensions, scholars warn the move to strike Iran ’ s nuclear facilities risks prolonging conflict in the Middle East. While Israel has framed its attack on Iran as “preemptive” self-defense, its timing, magnitude, and target set suggest a deeper strategic objective: to provoke an Iranian response that might derail ongoing diplomacy and potentially draw the United States into a broader conflict with Tehran.