THE CONFIGURATION OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOLLOWING THE ISRAEL-IRAN TENSION: A GEOPOLITICAL

Abstract

This study examines the profound geopolitical shifts in the Middle East following the intensification of tensions between Israel and Iran. It highlights a significant realignment of regional alliances, as several Arab states, particularly in the Gulf, have moved beyond longstanding ideological divides to establish formal diplomatic and security cooperation with Israel, driven largely by shared concerns over Iran’s regional ambitions. The research also underscores Iran’s strategic reliance on asymmetric warfare and proxy forces, such as Hezbollah, Shia militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, and its entrenched presence in Syria, to project power indirectly while avoiding direct military confrontation. Furthermore, the study reveals the increasing centrality of non-state actors in shaping regional security dynamics, blurring the traditional state-centric framework and complicating conflict resolution efforts. The evolving roles of global powers—namely the United States, Russia, and China—are analyzed, showing how their distinct policies and competing interests contribute to a complex, multipolar environment in the Middle East. Finally, the findings suggest a decline in traditional sectarian and ethnic divisions as primary determinants of foreign policy, replaced by pragmatic considerations including national interests, regime survival, and economic modernization. In conclusion, the Israel-Iran rivalry has acted as a catalyst for a broader transformation of Middle Eastern geopolitics, resulting in a more fluid and decentralized regional order. While this shift opens new avenues for diplomacy and cooperation, it also heightens unpredictability and demands continuous strategic recalibration by both regional and global actors.