Iran's interest in Israel, with former ambassador John Jenkins
Nov 18, 2023
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Former ambassador John Jenkins discusses Iran's interest in the Israel-Hamas conflict and its long-term strategy in the Middle East. The podcast explores Iran's perspective on Israel, its method of forward defense, and its goal of weakening the interests of Israel and the United States in the region. It also touches on the current moment in the Middle East and unfolding events.
Iran's long-standing objective is to remove the United States from the Middle East and they seek strategic patience in the eventual disappearance of Israel without provoking a major conflict.
Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Shia militias in Iraq and Syria pursue a method of forward defense, driven by their religious ideologies, seeking the destruction of Israel and asserting dominance in the Middle East.
Deep dives
Current Status of the Conflict and Israeli Perspective
The podcast discusses the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israeli officials frame this conflict as a paradigm shift, indicating a collapse of their policy in dealing with Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel aims to remove Hamas from Gaza and remain vigilant in the north to avoid a wider regional conflict. There is growing concern about the presence and weapons of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, which has been a longstanding issue.
Iran's Interests and Involvement
The podcast explores Iran's interests and involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Iran's long-standing objective is to remove the United States from the Middle East. They seek strategic patience and believe in the eventual disappearance of Israel. However, they do not want to provoke a major conflict that could lead to an attack on key Iranian assets by Israel or the United States. The Iranian regime sees itself as the leader of the Shia community and aims to project force in the region as part of its broader agenda.
Shared Objectives of Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Shia Militias
The podcast delves into the shared objectives of Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Shia militias in Iraq and Syria. These groups pursue a method of forward defense, aiming to engage in conflicts outside of Iran's borders. They seek the destruction of Israel and view it as divinely ordained, driven by their religious ideologies. Iran's regional proxies, such as Hezbollah, act as tools to assert its dominance and project force in the Middle East. The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding the symbolic and religious mindset of these actors when analyzing their political actions.
Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah – all of whom operate out of Beirut’s southern suburbs – have coordinated their positions in various ways for years in pursuit of what they see as the greater good.
John Jenkins, former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iraq, Syria and Burma, speaks to senior editor Katie Stallard about Iran's interest in the Israel-Hamas conflict and how this will play out across the region.
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