This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler ‘A cascade of dreaded events’: The conflicts reshaping the Middle East
Sep 13, 2025
Emile Hokayem, a Senior Fellow for Middle East Security, discusses the escalating crisis in the Middle East, particularly Israel's military actions against Hamas and the humanitarian impact on Gaza. He sheds light on Qatar's unexpected mediation role and the implications for Israel's relations with Gulf states. Hokayem explores shifting geopolitical tensions, emphasizing the complexities of U.S. partnerships in the region and the urgent need for collective strategies among Arab states to address ongoing conflicts and stabilize the volatile landscape.
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Israel's Military Dominance Risks Diplomacy
- Israel has operated with military dominance in the region, striking targets like Hamas leaders in Qatar without regard for wider ramifications.
- Such operations risk undermining mediation and may prompt Qatar to suspend its mediation efforts.
Evacuation Lacks Clear Military Logic
- There is no convincing military rationale for forcing Gaza City's population south, because Hamas is already strategically weakened.
- Political drivers and a desire to assert military dominance better explain the evacuation order.
Displacement Creates Regional Burden Shift
- Israel frames displacement as a solution and pressures neighbors to accept responsibility for displaced Palestinians.
- Arab states fear precedent-setting population movements and regional destabilization.