What Trump has dubbed the '12-Day War' could be just the opening salvo of a much longer conflict

Tehran's spies and generals built an impressive network of eyes and ears from Mount Lebanon to the Hindu Kush. In a game of cat-and-mouse, they always seemed two moves ahead. Not so now.

The absence of a set border curtails the ability of both states to enforce security. A clearly defined border can bring stability to a region that has been mired in conflict for decades. Here's how.

Tehran's military support to Moscow could be disrupted the longer the war drags out

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