A major column published in the Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat raises difficult questions about the future of the Middle East after years of war, Iranian expansionism, and the October 7 massacre.
The article argues that while many in the Arab world increasingly recognize the danger posed by Iran and its proxies — especially Hezbollah — there are growing fears that the destruction caused by the regional wars could leave behind societies too broken to sustain future peace.
The writer compares the situation to Iraq after the sanctions era and the US invasion, arguing that extreme destruction can weaken the very foundations needed for stability and democracy, including the middle class and functioning political systems.
At the same time, the columnist openly acknowledges why Israeli society changed dramatically after October 7, 2023. He writes that the Hamas massacre, together with years of cross-border attacks and the “unity of fronts” strategy led by Iran and its proxies, convinced many Israelis that their enemies ultimately seek Israel’s destruction.
