On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel that sent shockwaves throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East. This violence not only marked a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict but also highlighted the fragility of the region's geopolitical landscape. Yet amid the destruction, a rare opportunity emerged: the chance to reshape and stabilize the Middle East.
The attack on Oct. 7 was not an isolated event but part of a broader geopolitical storm that has been brewing for decades. This turmoil is fueled by three extremist ideologies that seek to violently dismantle the current order, with Israel often serving as a primary target.
The first of these ideologies is the Sunni Islamist aspiration for a caliphate, championed by groups like al-Qaida, Hamas, ISIS and the Muslim Brotherhood. The second is the Shia Islamist goal of an imamate, spearheaded by Iran’s regime. Finally, there is “The Resistance,” an overarching ideology that aims to upend the regional order, with a particular focus on Israel. These forces have unleashed chaos across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the Gaza Strip, leaving devastation in their wake and fundamentally reshaping the region's political dynamics.
The events of Oct. 7 represented a low point for Israel, while simultaneously marking a high point for Iran and the Axis of Resistance. However, the dynamics have shifted dramatically in the year since that fateful day. As of now, Israel has restored its deterrence capabilities and reestablished........