Israel

The Israeli prime minister's interests are served by a US president who will acquiesce to his hard-right government's every whim, but in Donald Trump he does not have a nodding dog

Destroying most of Syria's defence assets, Tel Aviv has left its northern neighbour vulnerable to the same instability that followed the dissolution of the Iraqi army. That suits Netanyahu nicely

The region is changing, in part due to Israel's own successes. But if it leaves foreign policy decision-making to a heavily politicised clique, it may not be able to reap the rewards.

Trump is unlikely to join an Israeli foray into Iraq, but he may decide to withhold the $250mn annual military assistance to Baghdad as a way to pressure the government to rein in its militias

Joyous at Iran's lost influence in Syria, Israel could have celebrated with Syrians after Assad's ouster. Instead, it rained bombs down, occupied land, and destroyed Syrian assets. Why? Ask Netanyahu

Sources of cash are drying up as front companies and drug production lines are dismantled and supply networks and smuggling routes are compromised. Iran is also questioning its funding of the group.

Better than any simulator, multiple conflicts throughout the war-torn region are proving to be a boon for the testing and showcasing of weapons, and the battle-hardening of fighters

With a growing budget deficit, soaring military expenditure, slowing growth, big projects pulled, and inflation on the rise, Israel's economic challenges are numerous

Faced with threats to use weapon supply as a tool of leverage against Israel, one would expect to have Israel's defence industry leaders dead with worry. But that is not the case.

The state has been through various iterations, each distinct from the others. Understanding them helps explain where Israel is today—and where it may be heading.