Middle East Institute

“We are in a very dangerous situation right now. The Iranian calculation is the following: they feel that PM Netanyahu is going for the ultimate kill. He wants regime change in Iran, and the Iranian leadership really fear a regional war…” - MEI’s Alex Vatanka to ABC News. https://lnkd.in/e5gJEDum

Israel's targeted killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has exacerbated tensions throughout the Middle East region. In a special briefing, MEI experts analyze the situation. For more information our website: https://lnkd.in/e6w2-KAu

If true that #Iran is prepping to strike #Israel, then the argument for not being baited into a war has finally given ground in Tehran & Natenyahu will take full advantage. Buckle up! CNN

"Syria was the beginning of the expansion of Hizbollah. That weakened their internal control mechanisms and opened the door for infiltration on a big level," says MEI's Randa Slim to Financial Times. https://on.ft.com/3zHW2Hm

As #Israel launches a ground invasion into #Lebanon, the risk of overreach couldn’t be greater. A strengthened UNSCR 1701 will be key, particularly as daylight grows between a weakened Hezbollah & most Lebanese, including within the group’s own support base. CNN

Israel has informed the?#US?that it is planning to launch a limited ground invasion into?#Lebanon?soon, according to media reports. MEI convened a panel on Sept. 27, prior to the killing of?#Hezbollah’s leader Hassan?#Nasrallah, in which the panelists explored what an incursion into Lebanon could look like for both sides. To watch the full webinar, please click on the link below. https://lnkd.in/egXqhNmy

History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes. We are in the opening round of long campaign in #Lebanon & the Levant. Israel landed powerful blows. It may soon launch a ground offensive. #Iran has patience & persistence. Many Lebanese remember 1982, when Sharon went all the way to Beirut, only for Iran and Syria to launch an effective counter campaign that put them back in charge. BBC News

“[Nasrallah’s] assassination was based on intel provided by people not only in lower ranks, but most probably at the leadership level… what we are going to see is Hezbollah re-organize and clean up their ranks of any spies. You are going to see a purge,” MEI’s Randa Slim tells NPR.

Lebanon's #Hezbollah has confirmed, on Sept. 28, the death of its long-time leader Hassan #Nasrallah. Nasrallah's killing deals a huge blow to Tehran’s most prominent proxy and will reverberate across #Lebanon and the wider region. What does it all mean? MEI’s experts react.??Randa Slim, Brian Katulis, Alex Vatanka, and Nimrod Goren.