Call Me Back - with Dan Senor From Hamas to Hezbollah to the Houtis & beyond — with Bret Stephens
Dec 28, 2023
Bret Stephens, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for The New York Times, discusses the expanding October 7 War, the rise of proxy wars in the Middle East, comparing the war against ISIS to Israel's defense, the relevance of 'Downfall' and comparisons to Holocaust barbarism, and exploring the intersection of tech and Jewish ethics.
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Local Battles Within A Global War
- The Israel-Gaza war is part of a wider global contest against an "axis of resistance" aligning multiple authoritarian regimes.
- Regional conflicts are converging into a larger, world-war-like struggle rather than isolated fights.
Hezbollah As Iran’s Most Formidable Proxy
- Hezbollah functions as a potent Iranian proxy that evolved from militia to dominant Lebanese force.
- Stephens expects Israel likely to confront Hezbollah after Gaza, expanding the conflict northward.
Yemen’s Strategic Disruption Of Trade
- The Houthis control large parts of Yemen and can meaningfully disrupt global trade via the Red Sea.
- Their location lets Iran project power far beyond Yemen's borders through proxy strikes on shipping.