The Middle East stands irrevocably altered one year after the cataclysmic events of October 7, 2023. This day, marked by an unprecedented surge in violence across Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon, has reshaped the region’s political and military landscape. The resulting destruction, human suffering, and political realignments are a stark reminder that the Middle East can never return to the way it once was. As we reflect on these changes, several key observations come to the fore, each pointing to the region’s altered dynamics.

One of the most striking revelations over the past year has been the reassessment of the capabilities of Hezbollah and Hamas, two of Iran’s most prominent proxies in the region. As noted by renowned political commentator and CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria, Israeli intelligence operations have pierced through the veil of invincibility that once surrounded these groups. In an exclusive interview, Zakaria highlighted just how deeply Israeli intelligence had infiltrated Hezbollah, revealing not only weapons caches and leadership locations but also the movements of Hezbollah’s elusive leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

“It’s extraordinary to note how well Israeli intelligence was able to penetrate Hezbollah,” Zakaria observed. “We’ve perhaps painted them to be 10 feet tall, but in reality, they are closer to five feet tall.”

This shift in perception extends beyond Hezbollah. In a candid interview with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Zakaria further noted that Iran’s capacity to engage in a full-scale war with Israel was more limited than previously thought. Pezeshkian implied that while Iran supports Hezbollah, it does not possess the ability to directly confront Israel in a prolonged military conflict. Instead, he........

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