Bowen: Trump and Netanyahu wanted to reshape the Middle East - now they risk a permacrisis
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu believed that victory over Iran would reshape the Middle East. The region is being reshaped. But not in the way they expected. The Islamic Republic of Iran has no…
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu believed that victory over Iran would reshape the Middle East. The region is being reshaped. But not in the way t
Read Full Story at BBC World News →Why This Matters
The failed attempt by Trump and Netanyahu to reshape the Middle East through confrontation with Iran has exposed the limits of unilateral power in a multipolar region. Their strategy, rooted in the belief that regional dominance could be secured through military and economic pressure, has instead accelerated tectonic shifts that defy Western expectations—undermining stability while empowering actors they sought to marginalize.
Background Context
For decades, Israel and the U.S. under Trump viewed Iran as the primary disruptor of regional order, framing its nuclear ambitions and proxy networks as existential threats. Their policies—sanctions, covert operations, and the Abraham Accords—were designed to isolate Tehran while forging new alliances with Sunni states. Yet the rise of non-state actors like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, coupled with Iran’s resilient regional influence, has rendered these calculations obsolete.
What Happens Next
With Iran’s influence expanding despite targeted strikes and economic pressure, the region faces a prolonged period of instability where no single actor can impose order. The Biden administration’s cautious approach contrasts sharply with Trump’s maximalism, leaving Israel increasingly isolated in its military campaigns while Arab states hedge their bets between normalization and resistance.
Bigger Picture
This episode reflects a broader erosion of Cold War-era power structures in the Middle East, where traditional alliances no longer guarantee predictability. The collapse of Trump and Netanyahu’s vision underscores how regional dynamics are now dictated by non-state forces and shifting geopolitical alignments, signaling a future where no single power—American, Israeli, or Iranian—can dictate outcomes unilaterally.
