Experts provide insights into the Middle East conflict

A week into the latest Middle East conflict, strikes across the region have intensified, leaving thousands dead, grounding flights, sending economic shockwaves, and raising alarm among leaders worldwide. Last Saturday, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Iran which killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and led to a region-wide conflict as Iran, in retaliation, attacked U.S.-allied states in the Gulf. The U.S.-allied states include Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

International relations analyst who specialises in the Middle East, Zeenat Adam, said these strikes by Iran on its Arab neighbours initially targeted American military bases, but have since expanded to civilian and energy infrastructure. Adam said attacks on such infrastructure could force the Gulf states to attack Iran, a conflict they have always wanted to avoid. “It’s a massive shock for the communities there, while many of the missiles have been intercepted, just the sounds of these explosions and the smoke in the air have erased a once serene atmosphere,” she said.

She said the governments have provided free accommodation and meals to tourists unable to return home; however, uneasiness remains. The governments there have done everything they can to try and bring some sense of normalcy, but that is getting harder to do as neighbourhood evacuations continue and major industries such as gas and oil are being attacked. Adam said it is likely that the conflict will be protracted due to the increasing number of countries affected and Iran’s military might.

[paywall]

She added that she, like many experts on the region, believes the U.S. did not have sufficient intelligence on Iran before striking the country. Iran has an incredibly intricate power structure, which allows for multiple centres of power. While the Supreme Leader is the most powerful leader in the country, Iran also has a president, parliament, and judiciary.

[/paywall]