This year’s sad scene was Israel’s relentless airstrikes on Hamas in Gaza; the plight of trapped Palestinians; and the pain of the captives of Israel and their families.
But to change the game was the biggest upset: Israel took on its arch-enemy, Iran.
In September, in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “I have a message for the dictators of Tehran: If you hit us, we will hit you.”
Armed with billions of dollars of American weapons, Israel attacked the forces of Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon, with ground forces, and in the air.
Israel also killed the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, and captured hundreds of pagers that left Hezbollah fighters abandoned and demoralized.
Ayatollah Khamenei put on a brave face, telling his followers earlier this month, “By the power of God … our resistance will grow now.”
But the kingdom has been humiliated. Even the hundreds of cruise missiles that Iran fired at Israel were mostly intercepted, and did little damage.
Tehran also lost in Syria, when its supporter, dictator Bashar al-Assad, was overthrown by Islamists who stormed the major cities and declared victory.
2024 has been a year of seismic changes in the Middle East, and only one thing is certain: The region will never be the same again.
Add to this mix Donald Trump, his foreign policy will be (at least) disturbing, and 2025 can give a weak peace … or a disaster.
Story produced by Mark Hudspeth. Editor: Chad Cardin.
Elizabeth Palmer
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