The Only Constants in the Middle East

The Middle East is full of uncertainty, but two constants have shaped the region for decades: Israel is not going anywhere, and the Islamic Republic of Iran consistently overplays its hand. These two realities explain why so many attempts to normalize relations with Tehran ultimately fail. Agreements can change incentives, but they cannot change the nature of a revolutionary regime. In the end, history suggests that overplaying one's hand rarely leads to lasting victory—it leads to strategic defeat.

Politics · Iran · Middle East