Israel and Iran in the New Middle East

Students of Middle Eastern policy and policy-makers in Europe and the United States have traditionally addressed the two Middle East subsystems–the Persian Gulf and the Levant–separately. This assumption was challenged by the July War from 12 July to 14 August 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah, largely seen as a proxy contest between Israel and Iran. This article examines the historical relationship between Tel Aviv and Tehran and its deterioration into proxy war. Particular attention is given to the creation of Hezbollah in 1982. The article also identifies the major changes in the emerging security environment in the Middle East following the 2006 war. The experience of the war shows that military means no longer are sufficient to end Middle East conflict. Although the war occurred largely as part of a reaction against the Middle East peace process, the experience reaffirms the overwhelming importance of a long-term solution that establishes a genuine peace between Israel and its neighbours and creates rapprochement with Iran. © 2006, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.