Opinion

A transitional government in Damascus has a gargantuan task, which is no less that the institutional rebuilding of the state. Currently, it is fighting fires and crisis managing. Where is the vision?

The US president appeared visibly frustrated with the Russian leader earlier this week. Cue talk of secondary sanctions on Russia's clients and more weapons for Ukraine.

Iran's strategy has been torpedoed, its resistance axis smashed, while from Syria and Lebanon there are suggestions that peace in this most unpeaceful region could be on the cards.

Damascus and Tel Aviv are exploring an agreement between them that could help avoid confrontation for years to come. To get there, though, there are some thorny issues to resolve first.

Authorities are at a crossroads. Either they build a state based on justice and transparency, or the succumb to the whims of popularism and public sentiment.

Banks are buying Israeli wartime bonds, bulldozer manufacturers are helping destroy Palestinian property, and software firms are helping Israel's military targeting. A new UN report names and shames.

Amid the wider disruption of Israel's wars on Iran and Gaza, boundaries at sea and hydrocarbons are back as a major source of tension. Cairo may prove key to avoiding a clash.

It remains unclear how serious Netanyahu is about a ceasefire, especially as negotiations to end the fighting in Gaza have been accompanied by a dramatic upsurge in Israeli attacks in recent days

Disarmament is hardly a magical pill that will resolve Lebanon's myriad problems

While the precise extent of damage to Iran's nuclear programme remains unclear, it is evident that its regional ambitions have been tamed

How will this new geopolitical dynamic shape the region? Al Majalla tackles the implications of the recent Israel-Iran war on the Middle East and the world.

In 12 days, the Islamic Republic suffered strategic losses, shattering the illusion of invincibility. Despite that, it is still standing. Is that a victory of sorts?