In war and politics, Newton's law holds true—every action has a reaction. For decades, two major axes have been contending in the Middle East: the Arab moderation axis and the axis of sectarianism and fundamentalism. The Arab moderation axis has engaged in wars with Israel and then moved toward peace, as Arab states collectively agreed on a peace initiative. On the other hand, the sectarian axis has never fought Israel directly, only through proxies that are defeated each time and refuse peace because they function as tools for others.
The overt sectarian axis, along with its fundamentalist groups, terrorist organizations, and bloody militias, became accustomed to America's policies in the region during Obama's time. Whenever Obama felt threatened, he made concessions to appease this axis, knowing fully that Israel is not America. Despite this, he hoped that it could mitigate Israel's reactions. Subsequently, the sectarian axis adopted a perplexing policy; aware of Israel's potential responses, it continued to throw its agents into the flames of war, from the beleaguered Gaza Strip to Yemen. The primitive rockets launched at Israel have negligible effects, and Israel responds with military actions that inflict severe human and developmental losses, devastating countries.
Is this an axis that has begun to hurl its agents into the war's abyss, much like moths drawn to a flame, or is it preparing the region and the world to announce a newfound strength that changes equations, thus making it easier to sacrifice its followers? Israeli media reported that Israel executed a series of strikes in Yemen using twelve F-35 aircraft, while U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed understanding for these strikes following months of "Houthi" attacks.
Two significant matters arise from this Israeli targeting of al-Hudaydah: First, Israel aimed to alert the "Houthis" that its responses would not resemble the ineffective responses of the American-led coalition but would instead be severe and harsh. Targeting al-Hudaydah serves as a model, hinting at future operations against regions and leaders. Second, when the Arab coalition reached the port of al-Hudaydah years ago, it did not destroy anything despite its high military capacities because a saving ally is different from a predatory enemy.
The Obama administration's leniency toward the sectarian axis resulted in the humiliation of American soldiers in historical images and the signing of one of the most unsuccessful political agreements in history. In contrast, when the Trump administration took over, political and military responses differed, disrupting the agreement and targeting key military leaders with qualitative military operations. As the Biden administration resembles Obama’s approach, the sectarian axis has sought to recreate the scenario, anticipating Trump's chances, which appear much stronger than Biden's in the upcoming American elections, regarded as the most pivotal in decades.
The increase in operations by ISIS in the region and worldwide confirms that the "end of the Awakening" is merely a wishful myth for some, disconnected from information gathering or rational political analysis, as it escalates in Iraq and Syria and executes operations in Russia and Europe. Finally, the countries in the region are passionately committed to peace, which offers an opportunity for major developmental plans and builds a bright future, free from terrorism and its various forms and militias.
