Bernard Haykel

Dec 10, 2024 | hoover.org | Bernard Haykel

The Middle East faces another watershed moment. Iran’s strategy of so-called resistance—arming, directing, and supporting proxy militias—has faltered, leaving the regime vulnerable. Israel has effectively neutralized Iran’s non-state actors, exposing Tehran to direct attack. Hezbollah’s leadership has been decimated, forcing the group into a humiliating ceasefire under UN Security Council Resolution 1701. If fully implemented, this resolution would require Hezbollah’s disarmament.

Jun 5, 2024 | hoover.org | Bernard Haykel

Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel accomplished the movement’s principal goals. It reestablished the centrality of the Palestinian cause in Arab and Muslim politics, the importance of which had diminished significantly, beginning with the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 and culminating with the Abraham Accords that gave short shrift to the conflict. And just as importantly, the attack delayed, perhaps even ended, the normalization process that was underway between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Apr 26, 2024 | fdd.org | Clifford D. May |Mark Dubowitz |Bernard Haykel

Ali Khamenei, Iran’s longtime ruler, saw the possibility of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia as a threat to his hegemonic ambitions. On Oct. 7, Hamas, one of Tehran’s proxies, invaded Israel and committed multiple acts of barbarism. That sparked a war and froze prospects for a new Saudi-Israeli relationship.

Apr 19, 2024 | indianexpress.com | Bernard Haykel

In the last few weeks, Israel and Iran have crossed all the red lines in their decades-long shadow war. Israel did this on April 1 when it bombed an Iranian consular building in Damascus, killing several high-ranking Iranian revolutionary guard officers. On April 13, Iran retaliated by launching an attack from its mainland on Israel.

Feb 12, 2024 | almendron.com | Bernard Haykel

For Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the war in Gaza has created a predicament. Gaza is ruled by Hamas, an Islamist movement that is allied and closely coordinating with Iran and its proxies, who wish to see the destruction of the House of Saud. But given how popular the Palestinian cause is with Saudi citizens, MBS must side with the Palestinians, who are seen throughout the Arab and Muslim worlds as the victims of Israeli aggression and occupation.