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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/hytankznzl
Israel and U.S. Defeat of Iran and Its Proxies Reshapes the Region
(Ynet News) Brig.-Gen. (res.) Danny Van Buren - The modern meaning of victory cannot rely on past paradigms - such as a formal surrender or the total destruction of the defeated side. The parameters for defining victory must be assessed over time, based on changes in the regional and geopolitical reality created by the war, not solely on whether the enemy retains the ability to cause harm. A definition of the current campaign as a "decisive victory" would rest on three components: military success, a favorable political and strategic shift, and a cognitive change that replaces an existing narrative with a new one. By these measures, Israel and the U.S. are clearly prevailing in the current campaign. From a military perspective, Iran and its proxies have suffered a severe blow across all fronts. Leadership chains in Iran, Hizbullah, Hamas and the Houthis have been eliminated. Weapons stockpiles and nuclear, naval, air and ballistic capabilities have been significantly damaged. Areas used to launch ground attacks against Israel are now under IDF control. Iran's ability to carry out its plan to destroy Israel through nuclear and large-scale ballistic capabilities, along with proxy plans to seize parts of the country, have been disrupted. British military historian Basil Liddell Hart argued that victory is achieved not by destroying enemy forces, but by disrupting their plans. From a political and strategic perspective, the war against Iran has exposed its true nature as a terrorist state led by a fundamentalist regime. Post-war Iran will be militarily, economically and diplomatically weakened. Iran's proxy organizations are already facing growing delegitimization among populations in Lebanon and Gaza. Without Iranian backing, Hizbullah and Hamas are likely to weaken significantly. The narrative of Iran as an untouchable regional power has been shattered, being replaced by a narrative of Israel as a regional power, commanding respect and deterrence among its neighbors and demonstrating resilience. The writer, former Chief IDF Reserve Officer, is a research fellow at the Israel Center for Grand Strategy.