A year has passed since the October 7 Hamas attack. Since then, tensions in the region have continued to escalate. The Israeli army responded to this unexpected move from Hamas with overwhelming force, carrying out what many have called a massacre in the region. The most tragic aspect of these events has undoubtedly been the deaths of civilians, with babies, children, and women being the most affected.
Israel, showing no signs of slowing down, first targeted and eliminated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was staying in what was described as a “safe house” in Iran. Following this, Israeli forces went after Hezbollah leader Nasrallah and his senior staff. Israeli units then moved into Lebanon, pushing toward the Syrian border, and by October 13, they crossed into Syria, positioning their armored units in Quneitra, in the southern part of the country.
Much of the world views these events solely through the lens of the Middle East, interpreting the situation as a conflict between Israel and Hamas. There are also many who believe that once Israel attacks Iran and achieves its objectives, peace will return to the region. However, this narrow view misses the larger picture. Many fail to see that Israel is not acting alone or independently.
Let’s dig a little deeper and try to analyze what’s happening behind the scenes. To advance in a region as rich in energy resources as the Middle East, one needs significant economic power and a strong military force. This is where the reality of the Pentagon comes into play. Put simply, it’s not very likely that Israel could advance without backing from the Pentagon. Without U.S. support, Israel might at most strike Gaza and Lebanon, and perhaps launch a few missile attacks on Iran.
When it comes to the Middle East, there are two major powers at play: the United Kingdom and the United States. Over the last 20 years, it’s clear that we can add China to this list of dominant forces. And here lies the core issue. Is China the U.S.’s only potential global rival? Absolutely.
China, which began its rise with American capital in the 1970s, has emerged as a giant that now stands toe-to-toe with the U.S. after about 50 years. However, the most crucial factor for China to maintain its global momentum without losing steam is undoubtedly energy, and that means oil. Fully aware of this, China made significant moves in the Middle East and, in 2021, signed crucial agreements with Iran. In return for billions of dollars in infrastructure investments, China was set to receive cheap oil from Iran.
Then, a hidden hand pressed the button. Hamas launched its attack, Israel entered massacre mode, a warning was sent to China regarding its ties to the Middle East, and Iran, which had aligned itself with China, suddenly found itself facing the threat of war.
While Israel continues its advance, the U.S. heads into what could be the most critical presidential election in its history. The cards in the region are being reshuffled, and the footsteps of a major transformation are echoing ever louder.
We will continue to explore what lies beneath the surface. Stay tuned.
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