Israeli gas platforms and infrastructure are key targets for sabotage.

Siginificant News of Nov 24

Israel’s Gas Exports Amidst the Chaos of War

The war with Hamas will likely harm Israel’s nascent role as a natural gas exporter, There is also a security dimension. Israeli gas platforms and infrastructure are key targets for sabotage. With its limited export options and given the fluidity of the political and security situation in Israel, it would be hard to label Israeli gas as secure, whether from an investment or market perspective. Source: CAROLE NAKHLE, GIS Reports

Gaza: a pause before the storm

The US and its allies will continue backing Israel after a brief truce. But as ‘genocide’ becomes more prevalent, the new multipolar powers will have to confront the old hegemons and their rule-based chaos. A wider awareness of the conflict may lead to a shift in global perspectives, potentially dismantling the imperial constructs in West Asia. Source: Pepe Escobar, The Cradle

The Sultan: Erdoğan and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Erdoğan’s narrative, blending neo-Ottomanism and Islamic unity, emphasises the Israel-Palestine issue as crucial to Turkey’s global and regional goals. Turkey’s relationship with Israel has deteriorated and the US and Middle Eastern leaders are under pressure to stop its Gaza operations. As the war continues to harm Palestinian civilians, Turkey’s ideological and geopolitical response will not change. Source: Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, Brookings

Will an Iraqi Front Open in the Hamas-Israel War?

The Biden administration and Iran-backed militias have deliberately limited their strikes thus far, yet the situation holds a risk of explosion. Earlier, Washington responded to strikes on US facilities in Syria, not Iraq, to avoid destabilising a partner. However, Iraqi actors’ pragmatism and restraint should not be seen as more than tactical and short-term.  Source: Bilal Wahab Washington Institute

The U.S. is losing Arab support in the Gaza War, benefiting its competitors.

Arab public trust in the US has dropped to historic lows, with only 7% believing Washington has a positive role in the Gaza War, a recent poll suggests. Arab anger towards the West has soured, which may impact its counterterrorism efforts in the region. The duration and trajectory of the conflict will likely influence future Arab attitudes towards the US.  Source:  Munqith Dagher, Washington Institute

Assessing Pakistan’s Naval Modernisation and its Implications for India

Pakistan Naval Modernisation is an effort to change the force from one pursuing an offensive sea-denial strategy to a navy aiming for greater power projection in the IOR through the recurrent introduction of heavier surface ships with the help of Turkey and China.   Source: Gaurav Sen, Centre for Power Studies India

Corridor Cooperation in Caucasus-Central Asian Region: How Should India Proceed?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) inked agreements to build international transport corridors connecting Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The growing connectivity between the South Caucasus and Central Asia has sparked intra-regional transit corridor efforts. India should consider Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea ports proposal to foster energy cooperation. Source: Centre for Power Studies India