The Conversation Europe is reporting that Israel's long-standing strategy to contain Iran and its allies, termed the "campaign between the wars," risks further straining ties with the United States. Amy McAuliffe writes that recent tit-for-tat attacks between Iran and the U.S. underscored the fragility of a current ceasefire. She notes that Israeli airstrikes continued in southern Lebanon just a day after a framework agreement was signed between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah, an Iran-sponsored Shiite group, has rejected this deal, accusing the Lebanese government of compromising its sovereignty.
McAuliffe explains that Israel's strategy, in place for at least a decade, involves ongoing limited military strikes, covert actions, and cyberattacks across the Middle East. The goal is to degrade the capabilities of Iran and its allies and ensure Israel maintains a qualitative military advantage for future conflicts. However, McAuliffe argues this policy challenges U.S. efforts to move beyond the Iran war and could widen the divide with Washington, potentially reigniting conflict with Iran and its partners in the long term.
Separately, The Conversation Europe highlights mounting tensions in South Africa as anti-foreigner groups set a deadline for migrants to leave the country. Justin Visagie and Ruth Castel-Branco have researched South Africa's economic and social crises, including high unemployment and inequality. They observe that anti-foreigner sentiment, which blames migrants for societal problems, has intensified in various countries. While acknowledging South Africans have legitimate grievances, Visagie and Castel-Branco conclude that immigrants are not the cause of the nation's economic challenges.