«OR Israeli government has no intention of ending the war in Gaza“ says Erwin van Fein, principal researcher on the Middle East at the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands, to Vima. Mr. Van Fein will come to Athens to participate in an Institute of International Relations (IDIS) conference on “Europe at a Crossroads” next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Donald Trump has nominated Mike Huckabee to be the US ambassador to Israel. Huckabee does not believe there is a Palestinian West Bank, only a Jewish Judea and Samaria. What does his definition tell us about the future of the region?
“Huckabee’s designation suggests that existing US sanctions on Israeli settlers may be lifted at the start of Trump’s term. Moreover, it is very likely that the increasing annexation of the West Bank through Jewish settlements will benefit from diplomatic, political and symbolic American support after January 2025. These developments will increase tensions with the Palestinians of the West Bank and ultimately strengthen further the already large-scale settler violence. This will trigger a spiral of violence, which Israel expects to be able to contain within the West Bank.”
How could the war in Gaza end?
“For now, the Israeli government does not seem to have any intention of ending its war in Gaza. Instead, it clears the North Lane, which looks like it’s preparing the ground to resettle in that section. The Southern Strip will likely remain a refugee camp with hunger and death at every corner as Israel deliberately cuts humanitarian aid, UN and NGOs report.”
Is Trump’s election weakening Iran? Will Tehran try to find a compromise with the West or try to get a nuclear weapon faster?
“Anyone with an ounce of brains in Tehran will have realized that after Hezbollah’s hammering, Israel’s latest blow to Iran and the election of Trump, only nuclear weapons can ensure the survival of the regime. While their deployment is dangerous for Tehran, it can probably be achieved fairly quickly because both Biden and Trump seem reluctant to engage in direct conflict with Iran.”
Is a wider regional conflict still possible, or has Israel already won the war and no escalation is expected?
“Broader regional conflict remains possible as long as Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah continues and as long as Iran feels morally bound to retaliate by hitting Israel, which is becoming increasingly dangerous.”
Is the normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab countries possible after what has happened in Gaza?
“The normalization of Israeli-Arab relations may become possible again despite Gaza, but not in the absence of a substantial political horizon for the resolution of the Palestinian quest for a state of their own. But this is not a perspective that the current Israeli government provides and therefore normalization is unlikely to be launched in the short or medium term.”
#Middle #East #Nukes #Secure #Irans #Regime #Erwin #van #Fein #BIMA
**How can the international community, particularly the United States, navigate the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while also pursuing regional normalization efforts, considering the divergent perspectives and interests involved?**
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: The Future of the Middle East
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today we delve into the complex and volatile situation in the Middle East, analyzing recent events and their potential ramifications. We are joined by two distinguished guests:
* **Dr. [Guest 1 Name]**, a leading expert on Middle Eastern politics and conflict resolution at [Guest 1 Affiliation].
* **Dr. [Guest 2 Name]**, a renowned scholar specializing in US foreign policy in the Middle East at [Guest 2 Affiliation].
**Section 1: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the Settlers**
**Interviewer:** Dr. [Guest 1 Name], the article highlights the perspective of Erwin van Fein who asserts that the Israeli government shows no signs of ending the Gaza war. How do you analyze this statement in light of recent developments and the ongoing settler movement in the West Bank?
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name]:** (Response)
**Interviewer:** Dr. [Guest 2 Name], the nomination of Mike Huckabee as US ambassador to Israel raises concerns about potential shifts in US policy regarding settlements. How might his appointment impact the already delicate balance in the region and what are the potential consequences for the Palestinian population?
**Dr. [Guest 2 Name]:** (Response)
**Section 2: The Iranian Nuclear Threat and Regional Stability**
**Interviewer:** Dr. [Guest 2 Name], the article suggests that Iran might accelerate its nuclear program in response to the perceived threats from Israel, Hezbollah’s struggles, and the Trump administration’s policies. What are the potential motivating factors behind this decision and what are the risks and rewards associated with such a move?
**Dr. [Guest 2 Name]:** (Response)
**Interviewer:** Dr. [Guest 1 Name], considering the evolving dynamics between Israel, Iran, and regional players like Hezbollah, how realistic is the possibility of a wider conflict, and what steps can be taken to mitigate the risks of escalation?
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name]:** (Response)
**Section 3: The Future of Peace Negotiations and Regional Normalizeation**
**Interviewer:** Dr. [Guest 1 Name], the article mentions the potential for normalization between Israel and Arab countries despite the situation in Gaza. What conditions would need to be met for such normalization to become a reality, and what role could the international community play in fostering a lasting peace?
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name]:** (Response)
**Interviewer:** Dr. [Guest 2 Name], looking ahead, do you see any potential avenues for restarting meaningful peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians? What are the key obstacles, and what strategies could be employed to overcome them?
**Dr. [Guest 2 Name]:** (Response)
**Closing:**
We thank our guests for sharing their valuable insights on this crucial topic. The situation in the Middle East remains highly complex and constantly evolving. WorldTodayNews will continue to monitor developments and provide in-depth analysis on this important issue.
