(Note: A version of the below appeared as a letter to the editor in the Washington Times on April 16 2025)
“Clifford May observes that Israel is now fighting its ‘second war of independence.’ (April 9) It’s worth unpacking what this will mean for both the Jewish state, as well as the U.S.
Israeli officials told Mr. May that the recent war has taught them that they will ‘never again’ allow Iranian proxies to surround their country, creating a multi-front war. Israeli military prowess is superior to its Iranian foe. By contrast, Tehran’s strength is in asymmetrical warfare. Israel has the edge in conventional power, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Accordingly, Iran’s strategy has focused on attrition, hoping to wear Israel down.
Israel must not allow itself to fall into its enemy’s trap. This means acting with overwhelming force and, as importantly, restoring deterrence. Israel must do so irrespective of unfair critiques lobbed by the “jackals” at the United Nations, or from anti-Israel pundits in the legacy media.
This is in Israel’s interest. But it is also in America’s, as Iran itself is a chief regional foil for China, our sole peer adversary. Tehran, like its backer in Beijing, wants a Middle East that is rid of both Washington and Jerusalem. To prevent this from occurring, the United States must forfeit its long held strategy of keeping Israel in a “bear hug,” as if it were a child instead of a key ally capable of decimating our regional enemies. Let Israel be Israel. If the Jewish state wants to destroy our opponents, we should let them.
Sean Durns
Washington D.C.
The writer is a senior research analyst for the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis”