Iran holds the key to Israel’s rise as the Middle East’s hegemon

When the United States and Iran

first came to blows

last year, most of the Middle East’s Arab states either kept a polite silence or supported the US operations. Yet as another major US-Iran military showdown is looming, the same Arab governments are desperate to avoid a war.

That’s not because Iran is either especially popular or trusted, but because the region’s rulers know from experience that, while the US remains good at smashing its opponents, it is far less reliable when it comes to rebuilding anything in their stead. Whatever happens between the US and Iran in the next few weeks and months, it will be Iran’s neighbours who will be left to sift through the rubble.