Israel's Post-Gaza War
2023 Oct 7The Axis of Resistance Collapses
After Hamas's October 7 attack, Israel devastated its enemies one by one — crushing Hamas in Gaza, then destroying Hezbollah through targeted killings and large-scale operations. Iran's Axis of Resistance, stretching from Tehran through Damascus to Beirut, was significantly weakened.
Western governments had no margin to intervene: the US consumed by domestic polarization and China competition, Europe facing economic pressures and Ukraine fallout. Israel operated with relative impunity.
The Middle East balance has grown far more complex than the old Sunni-Shia divide. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are expanding influence in post-Assad Syria. The UAE finds itself at odds with Riyadh over Yemen, Sudan, and regional strategy. Iran's power crumbled — and others are scrambling to fill the vacuum.