The Foreign Affairs Interview

Can Israel and Iran Step Back From the Brink?

Apr 18, 2024

Iran's historic attack on Israel, intercepted by the US, sparks tension. Experts discuss escalation, shadow war strategies, and regional dynamics. Analyzing Iran's nuclear ambitions, interconnected conflicts in Israel and Gaza.

41:01

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Quick takeaways

Iran's strategic alliances with proxy groups in the Middle East bolster its influence and pressure on Israel.

Iran's attack on Israel aimed to establish deterrence without sparking a full-scale conflict, reflecting a shift towards bolder responses to safeguard its regional standing.

Deep dives

Iran's Strategic Network in the Middle East

Iran has strategically shaped the Middle East by building relationships with proxy groups over the years, bolstering its position and exerting pressure on Israel. The founding of the Islamic Republic initiated a strategy of forming alliances worldwide, enhancing Iran's influence. After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, Iran expanded this network of groups, providing strategic depth and operational flexibility.

Introduction

4min

Iran's Escalation Against Israel: Motives and Implications

11min

Tension and Strategy in the Iran-Israel Shadow War

4min

Escalating Tensions: Israel, Iran, and Regional Dynamics

8min

Navigating Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

11min

Navigating the Interconnected Conflicts in Gaza and Israel

3min

On April 13, Iran did something it had never done before: it launched a direct attack on Israel from Iranian territory. As historic and spectacular as the attack was, Israel, the United States, and others managed to intercept a huge percentage of the drones and missiles fired, and the damage inflicted by Iranian strikes was minor. Still, the world is waiting tensely to see how Israel will respond—and whether the Middle East can avoid full-scale war.

To understand the attack and its consequences, Foreign Affairs Editor Daniel Kurtz-Phelan spoke with Suzanne Maloney, vice president and director of the Brookings Institution’s Foreign Policy program, and Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group.

We discuss where this conflict could go next—and how to bring the two sides back from the brink of war.

You can find transcripts and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

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The Foreign Affairs Interview

Can Israel and Iran Step Back From the Brink?

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Iran's Strategic Network in the Middle East

Iran's Shift Towards Direct Attacks on Israel

Impact of Iranian Attack on Israel and Future Scenarios

Challenges and Policy Recommendations for De-escalation

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts