Smugglers and militias have been active along the country's boundaries in recent days, which could attract unwanted conflict. With resources stretched, Damascus is keen to contain things.

Iran's nuclear programme is damaged, but its determination is heightened

By hyping up the threat of a nuclear Iran, Netanyahu knows he can scare Israeli society into backing military action—a tactic he has perfected throughout his lengthy political career

Israel sees an opportunity to eliminate a strategic regional rival, but the future course of events primarily hinges on what Trump decides to do next

Years of painstaking intelligence work went into the operation that activated vast networks of operatives and involved multiple layers of subterfuge

Tehran appreciates the rhetoric from Islamabad, but to succeed in its war with Israel, it needs tangible support and reliable allies, something Pakistan may find difficult to muster

De-escalation is in the overwhelming interest of most countries in the region and the world, and we could see many extend a hand to help bring the conflict to an end

If Israel wins, it will likely move ahead with implementing its plan to push Palestinians out of Gaza, which could lead to a war with Egypt. If Iran wins, its proxies could further divide the region.

Israel's strikes on Iran have turned a simmering rivalry into a volatile confrontation, fuelling fears of a wider regional war with unpredictable consequences

The Israeli strikes aren't about facilities or centrifuges, but regime change