HEADLINESIran protests threaten stability; US weighs optionsGermany and Israel expand Arrow missile defenseSyrian forces retake Sheikh Maqsoud and AshrafiyahThe time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This hour, the Middle East and its near abroad are moving on several fronts at once. In Iran, anti-government protests entering a third week are shaping judgments about the regime’s stability and its military plans, even as Tehran signals resistance and Washington weighs a broader set of options, including cyber and economic measures. In Europe, Hungary reports a dramatic turn in Jewish life and anti antisemitism, while Germany deepens defense cooperation with Israel. In the Levant, Syria’s government has reclaimed control of Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo, a development that reverberates across regional politics and Kurdish aspirations. And in the United States, a grave domestic concern is reflected in a rising number of anti-Semitic incidents and a widening discussion about security for Jewish communities at home.Turning first to Iran, sources describe an intense domestic crisis that is testing the regime’s grip on power. Observers note that the protests, now entering a second fortnight, pose a formidable strategic threat not only to Iran’s leadership but also to its ability to project force abroad. A former Israeli Navy commander warned that if the regime can be destabilized, or if leadership shifts toward the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the dynamics of potential escalation could change substantially. The system’s reliance on liquid-fuel missiles, he noted, makes rapid, large-scale launches more difficult to execute from underground depots, complicating any immediate military response. At the same time, Tehran’s leadership appears intent on suppressing dissent, with experts warning that any collapse could unfold in uncertain, potentially chaotic fashion, with weapons and security forces in play in ways that would require careful handling by neighboring states and major powers. In Washington, officials are discussing a spectrum of options, including cyber operations and targeted sanctions to strain Iran’s economic lifelines, along with the possibility of limited kinetic action against military facilities if circumstances warrant. American officials warn that any action would carry substantial risk, including the potential for broad regional retaliation; pauses and calculations are ongoing as the administration weighs timing, scope, and international support. In public commentary, officials and analysts emphasize that the immediate task for the United States and its allies is to support peaceful expressions of dissent in Iran while denying the regime the opportunity to use violence to crush the protests. The administration’s discussions reflect a broader aim: to constrain Iran’s ability to fund, equip, and deploy security forces that could threaten neighbors and allied interests in the region.In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will convene a cabinet meeting to discuss Iran and the broader security situation, following a weekend of rapid assessment by military leadership. The army’s chief of staff has described the protests as an internal Iranian matter, while stressing that Israel remains prepared to respond decisively if Iran attacks. Israel’s security leadership continues to monitor movements in Iran with an emphasis on maintaining readiness across the border in Lebanon and along the Gaza front, and on safeguarding civilian security within Israel. In parallel, Prime Minister Netanyahu gave interviews highlighting a strategic shift in Israel’s security posture, including a plan to reduce dependence on external security aid over the coming years while continuing to invest in defense capabilities. He framed this as part of a broader trajectory toward economic and security maturity, explaining a long-term aim to strengthen Israel’s defense autonomy even as security partnerships remain vital.On the international defense front, a major development emerged from Europe: Germany and Israel signed a substantial expansion of the Arrow missile defense program. The agreement, valued at about three billion dollars, will increase production and deployment capacity of Arrow interceptors and launchers in Germany, reinforcing Europe’s air and missile defense architecture. Israeli officials stressed that the expanded Arrow partnership underlines a deepening strategic bond with Germany and a commitment to joint development of advanced defenses. The collaboration is framed as reflecting practical, long-standing defense ties that have become a cornerstone of European-Israeli security cooperation, and it comes as European countries reassess security risks and deterrence in a volatile region.In the United Kingdom and the Gulf states, a notable policy shift is unfolding over education and influence. The ...
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