Ultra-religious hardliners are gaining power and yearn for confrontation

When Israel considers its next move after Iran's retaliatory attack, it is not simply calculating the cost and benefits of a response but will also be creating a new equation for future exchanges.

From the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus to Iran's retaliation on Israel, the Syrian leader has been acting strangely normal. Al Majalla gives a breakdown of the past two weeks.

An isolated leader who faced widespread criticism a week ago now has the backing of the West and has deflected global attention from Gaza

The Israeli prime minister and Hamas leader have inflated military progress in Gaza, whitewashed their failures and religionised the war. Who can cast doubts about a divine victory?

While this marked the first time Iran directly struck Israel, the weak showing of these drone strikes demonstrates Tehran's clear desire to avoid getting sucked into a direct conflict

Iranian-backed militias are exploiting growing anger over Israel's war on Gaza and Jordan is as susceptible as ever to being drawn into the conflict which has spilled into the region

Iran launched a series of attacks on Israel overnight Saturday, and Israel's war cabinet vows a "significant response"

An Egyptian minister warns Ethiopia it will "pay" for any harm done to Egypt's water security, stoking speculation that the long-running clash over its GERD dam will spark a water war

Deterring Iran and bolstering regional security will be the obvious and immediate goal of a US-Saudi defence treaty