It remains to be seen if, going forward, Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Syria or Lebanon—or against the PMF in Iraq—will elicit a direct Iranian response. Time will tell.

The two sides are making careful calculations—at least for now—but the conflict is changing, as are the political dynamics at work in dangerous times

The horrors in Gaza have led to accusations of genocide, denunciations at the Oscars, and even self-immolation by a US Air Force serviceman. When will enough be enough?

The two countries have a long history of online offensives against each other, which may come into play

Cairo's worst fears could soon be realised and the mass exodus event it feared months ago could finally come to fruition

Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran in a development that pushes the region closer to all-out conflict

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.