Quillette Podcast The Wars Before the War
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Jun 18, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Jonathan Spyer, a British Israeli analyst and director of research at the Middle East Forum, delves into Israel's military strategies and the unfolding tensions with Iran. He explains how Israel strategically confronted threats in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Spyer explores the shift from conventional warfare to asymmetric tactics. The conversation extends to the geopolitical dynamics with the Houthis in Yemen and the implications of military strikes on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, highlighting the complexities of regional security.
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Shift to State-to-State War
- The current conflict between Israel and Iran represents an all-out state-to-state war, not just asymmetrical or proxy warfare.
- This type of warfare between Israel and another state has not been seen for a generation and is a significant shift in Middle Eastern conflict dynamics.
Disrupting Iran's Asymmetrical Strategy
- Iran developed a strategic approach using proxy paramilitary groups like Hezbollah and Hamas to wage asymmetrical warfare against Israel.
- Israel has decisively disrupted these forces, challenging the assumption that such paramilitary groups are undefeatable.
Decapitating Hezbollah's Command
- Israel's three-pronged operation against Hezbollah included killing leadership, destroying communication networks, and ground maneuvers to dismantle infrastructure.
- This significantly weakened Hezbollah, emboldening Lebanon's government to take a firm stance against the group.