Robert Wright's Nonzero Israel’s Plan for Iran (And Beyond) (Robert Wright & Daniel Levy)
Mar 17, 2026
Daniel Levy, former Israeli adviser and current president of the U.S. Middle East Project, offers sharp analysis of Israel, Iran, and the Gulf. He maps Iran’s asymmetric strategy and Iran versus US coherence. He explores Israel’s domestic politics, Netanyahu’s incentives, Gulf state dilemmas, and possible regional endgames. Short, pointed, and provocative.
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Iran Targets Israeli Resilience Not Just Infrastructure
- Iran's responses aim to shut down Israeli daily life rather than cause massive destruction, forcing Israelis into shelters and crippling the economy.
- Daniel Levy notes censorship and internalized solidarity limit footage, so impact is measured by societal disruption not headline rubble.
War Is A Battle Of Interceptors Versus Cheap Attacks
- The core military contest is a race to deplete interceptors versus missile/drone salvos.
- Levy warns Israeli interceptor stocks are credibly low and the USS Gerald Ford's presence was crucial to Israel's initial operations.
Iran Has A Clear Strategy While U.S. Appears Incoherent
- Iran pursues a coherent regional strategy: threaten Gulf commerce and bases to pressure the U.S. while aiming for a post-war equilibrium that includes Iran.
- Levy contrasts that with U.S. incoherence and says Israel has clearer, more ambitious goals.