Jonathan Spyer argues that Iran’s current weakness is transitory, urging Israel to take decisive military action to eliminate threats from Iran and its proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. He criticizes Israel’s ongoing negotiations and military strategy in Gaza, suggesting a shift toward conclusive action to dismantle Hamas should occur imminently.
British-Israeli analyst Jonathan Spyer warns that Iran’s current weakness is temporary, and Israel must act decisively. He emphasizes that while Israel has inflicted damage on Iran and its allied groups—such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—none of the threats have been eliminated. Thus, delaying action could allow these entities to regain strength.
Spyer argues that Israel’s military strategy resembles a cycle of weakening enemies, allowing them to recover, and striking again, which he believes cannot continue indefinitely. Instead, Israel needs to focus on striking at the root cause: the Iranian regime. He notes there is an immediate “window of opportunity” for Israel to target Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which may close as Iran enhances its defenses, particularly with assistance from Russia.
Turning to the conflict in Gaza, Spyer highlights Israel’s dual objectives: rescuing hostages and dismantling Hamas. However, he notes a disparity in focus between these goals, with Israel not sufficiently seeking an alternative to Hamas’s political power. This disconnect has led to a cautious, reactive strategy instead of proactive measures.
Spyer points to a significant intelligence misstep prior to the October 7 incident, where Israel underestimated Hamas’s capabilities while preparing for other threats. He critiques the current negotiations related to hostage deals, emphasizing the contradictory nature of aiming to negotiate while simultaneously engaging in efforts to destroy Hamas. As negotiations progress, uncertainty remains over whether Israel will make concessions or continue to escalate military action in Gaza.
Ultimately, Spyer advocates for Israel to abandon negotiations and focus on concluding military operations against Hamas to prevent further entrenchment of its adversaries. He warns that continued negotiation can lead to dangerous outcomes for Israel.
In summary, Jonathan Spyer stresses that Iran’s fleeting weakness presents an urgent need for Israel to act decisively against regional threats, chiefly the Iranian regime. He highlights the inadequacies in Israel’s military strategy concerning Gaza and critiques its current negotiation approach, suggesting that a more assertive military action may provide a clearer path forward.
Original Source: www.ynetnews.com
