Cairo and Tehran have been at loggerheads since 1979, but the Iranian threat has always acted as a check on Israeli ambitions. If Iran is completely defeated, Israel will reign supreme.
Iran has concluded that Israel and the US aim to bring down its government at some point, but it may be a gradual campaign rather than a boots-on-the-ground blitz
Iran's Supreme Leader would be wise to acknowledge that his longstanding strategic patience doctrine has run its course. With few cards left to play, he may have to choose between these two options.
Tehran will return to nuclear negotiations with far fewer cards. Even if it seeks a token gesture on enrichment, that could be rejected. Remaining options include capitulation or even civil war.
Fighting between Iran and Israel impacted North Africa, where surging prices may disrupt budgets and plans. But for North Africa's energy exporters, higher oil prices are a reason to cheer.
Images of rocket trails, explosions, and destruction were broadcast worldwide, but a quieter war in cyberspace was also being waged, and it was no less important
The standoff in the Hormuz is not simply a question of whether Tehran can survive economic pressure, but whether Washington can sustain the pressure at an acceptable cost.
Many Israelis actually believe that they lost the war, with opposition leader Yair Lapid accusing the Israeli premier of having led the country into "strategic collapse and diplomatic catastrophe"
The Strait of Hormuz is now poised to become the primary arena of confrontation, with Iran relying on speedboat-driven guerrilla warfare to confront the US navy.
Former regime soldiers are stuck in limbo, as their undocumented status prevents them from working, travelling, and curbs family members' access to education, healthcare and social services