Israel, long defined by a narrative of survival, now stands at a pivotal moment. It has proven its military superiority through recent operations against Hamas, Hizbullah, and Iran’s regional proxies. As Iran’s influence wanes amid economic woes and internal unrest, Israel faces a historic opportunity: to act not just defensively, but as a proactive regional leader.
Turkey’s growing presence in Syria and its neo-Ottoman ambitions introduce new complexities. With Turkish forces near Israel’s northern front, risks of miscalculation and escalation grow. Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain the region’s most pressing threat. Delay is no longer viable — Israel must lead a coalition to either diplomatically or militarily ensure Iran never becomes nuclear-armed.
The Middle East is increasingly shaped by power competition. Turkey wields military reach and nostalgia, Qatar uses wealth and soft power, and Iran continues to export chaos. Global actors like China and Russia are also expanding their footprints, each driven by infrastructure investments or opportunistic alliances.
Yet Israel stands out. It is innovative, stable, and militarily unmatched. It must now act like the core regional power it is, not a beleaguered outlier. This demands a mindset shift — from survival to leadership. Strength, confidence, and purpose can attract partners and investment across the region.
Strategic normalization is key. Building on the Abraham Accords, Israel should deepen ties with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Morocco, and strengthen bonds with Egypt and Jordan. These ties must expand beyond security to include economic, technological, and cultural collaboration — for example, regional clean energy projects or tech education pipelines.
Managing rival powers is essential. Turkey can be balanced through partnerships with Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans. Qatar’s influence can be countered through stronger direct communication with Arab audiences. Egypt should be quietly supported with water tech, counterterrorism, and economic initiatives.
The U.S. remains a vital ally, but Israel must prepare for strategic autonomy. Long-term defense agreements and deeper tech-intel cooperation can secure American backing. Simultaneously, outreach to Europe, India, and Africa should expand Israel’s global presence.
Engagement with China and Russia must be cautious. Israel should allow Chinese investment only in non-sensitive sectors, maintaining transparency with the U.S. Russia’s role in the region should be managed pragmatically but without overreliance.
Containing Iran remains central. Support for opposition groups, cyber capabilities, and visible military preparedness must be sustained. Diplomacy should always be an option — but never the only one.
To lead regionally, Israel must adopt a broad strategy: create a regional influence council, rebrand its image across the Arab world, spearhead infrastructure diplomacy, update its military doctrine, and establish regional education exchanges.
Leadership brings rewards — security, economic growth, prestige, and innovation. There will be obstacles, but ambition is key. As the saying goes, “He who strives, succeeds.” Israel has the capability. Now, it must embrace the responsibility.
Photo: Reuters