Israel has roughly 60 days to reshape its strategic position in the Middle East before a potential Trump presidency could dramatically alter regional dynamics, according to a leading Israeli military strategist.
"The clock is ticking," says Lt. Col. Amit Yagur, former head of the IDF's Palestinian Arena Planning Division. "We're looking at a unique moment where a lame-duck Biden administration gives Israel unprecedented freedom of action."
That freedom comes with a catch: Trump's likely return to the White House could bring a swift demand to wind down military operations, despite his pro-Israel stance.
In addition, Iran's sudden quiet speaks volumes. Since Trump's primary victories, Tehran has noticeably tempered its rhetoric - a silence that Yagur sees as a strategic opening to address Iranian military presence in Lebanon and Syria.
But it's the Abraham Accords that could prove most crucial. Yagur envisions them as the cornerstone of a new regional order, replacing traditional diplomatic channels that have proven ineffective. "Forget the French, forget the UN," he argues. "The future runs through direct cooperation between Israel, America, and our Arab partners."
In Gaza, the reported elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar may have created an unexpected opportunity. With Hamas's command structure in disarray, Yagur suggests unconventional approaches to securing hostage releases could prove more effective than traditional negotiations.
