In this episode of ‘The Exchange,’ Zeteo contributor Rula Jebreal brings in former U.S. State Department adviser and foreign policy expert Vali Nasr to unpack what is going on – and why.
“The killing of Haniyeh in Tehran was a direct challenge to Iran. It’s almost like daring them to prove their ability to defend their minions – Hamas, Hezbollah – and also really to defend their own country,” Vali explains to Rula. “It’s almost like goading them into a kind of reaction that could be a game changer for the impasse that Gaza has become now.”
Rula and Vali discuss how the United States’ unconditional support for Israel has severely diminished America’s credibility in the Middle East, as Israel continues to break, “all the safety valves that have kept the region in place.”
“I think the worst thing for the United States is that they don’t look in charge, they don’t have control over the region,” Vali tells Rula. ….more
