A new analysis in The Economist assessing the 12-day war states that in the next round, Israel is expected to aim for regime change in Iran.
In its November 11 article, the magazine described the strikes on the Islamic Republic during the fighting with Israel as evidence of a crumbling “Ayatollah empire” in the region, noting that recent Middle East wars have been both transformative and unfinished.
Discussing the prospect of a new conflict between Israel and Iran, the article said: “If a second war breaks out, Israel is expected to act to bring down the government. But if Iran believes Israel intends regime change, it may strike its Gulf neighbors, forcing President Trump to choose between restraining Israel or risking instability among US-aligned Arab states.”
The report also examined the competing roles of Iran and the US: “If Trump is the region’s strongest voice for change, Iran is the main force pushing to preserve the status quo.”