An article discussing the historical relationship between Persia and the Jewish people, particularly focusing on the celebration of the 2500 anniversary of Cyrus the Great’s establishment of the Persian empire by the Shah of Iran in 1971. The lavish party held to commemorate the event was one of the most extravagant of all time, with many royal families and politicians in attendance. However, this excess was followed by the Iranian Revolution a few years later, leading to a mass exodus of Jews from Iran to Israel. In fact, one quarter of the cabinet of Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak in 1999 were born in Iran.
The article then shifts to the recent conflict between Israel and Iran, highlighting the geopolitical trends and issues at play. It discusses the disconnect between Iran’s theocratic elite and its people, as well as its reliance on tension with Israel for political gain. On the Israeli side, there is concern about the government veering to the extreme right and its impact on democracy. The article also raises concerns about the undermining of well-functioning democracies by individuals like Boris Johnson and Donald Trump, who have been easily manipulated by autocrats.
The discussion then turns to the increasing ease with which bad actors can undermine other states in a technology-driven world. It mentions Russia’s foreign policy goal of acting as a “spoiler” and the challenges faced by the US and EU in repairing this damage. The article criticizes the lack of effort by China to improve international relations, calling on emerging nations to pay attention to China’s rhetoric regarding its diplomatic ambitions. It warns of the danger of a world arms race fueled by advances in drone warfare, AI in military systems, and covert warfare.
The article further delves into the clear delineation of clubs and gangs in the geopolitical world, with Israel needing to realign its diplomatic relations in light of the attack by Iran. It suggests pursuing normalization with Gulf states and Saudi Arabia, as well as valuing Jordan’s role in the region. Amidst all this, the plight of Gazans is highlighted, with a deepening famine in the region. The hope is that the recent military exchange between Israel and Iran accelerates a peace process that includes the realignment of regional countries diplomatically.
