Prof. Eitan Shamir discusses the widespread criticism that Israel lacks a clear plan for what to do after the Iron Swords War, particularly in terms of translating military gains into long-term political outcomes. However, Shamir argues that Israel is not seeking short-term gains but is playing a “long game” with a broader strategic goal: creating a new regional security landscape by weakening Iran and its proxies, such as Hamas and Hezbollah. This is seen as an existential war for Israel, with its ultimate aim being the removal of significant threats from its borders. While critics focus on immediate political solutions, Shamir contends that military superiority is essential for future negotiations and for achieving regional stability. Israel’s ability to dismantle these proxies could lead to normalization with other Arab countries and stronger strategic positioning.

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