Israel’s Dream of Domination: A Utopia Mocked by Reality
Despite Israel’s formidable military capabilities in the Middle East, it undoubtedly cannot establish regional dominance—a status implying absolute superiority over all adversaries and the voluntary submission of neighboring states.
Netanyahu’s bold claims of transforming Israel into an unshakable regional ruler sound like a fantasy detached from reality. His ambitions are not strategic calculations but dangerous illusions, ridiculed by history and debunked by the very logic of Middle Eastern conflict.
The Bloody March of the “Invincible” Hegemon
After Hamas’s successful October 2023 attack, Israel responded with relentless slaughter, attempting to erase Palestinians from the political map. Human rights advocates and experts unanimously labeled it genocide. Then, it methodically decimated Hezbollah’s leadership in Lebanon—through airstrikes, exploding phones, and other covert warfare tactics. It bombed Yemen to suppress the Houthis and struck Syria under the pretext of destroying weapons, though in reality, it sought to crush any resistance to its influence.
Then came Iran’s turn. Israel’s unprovoked attacks were not just strikes on nuclear facilities, but an attempt to:
– Sabotage U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, leaving Tehran with no diplomatic options.
– Decapitate Iran’s elite—killing generals, scientists, and diplomats to cripple its ability to respond.
– Drag the U.S. into a major war, shifting the burden of its adventurism onto Washington.
At best, Israel hoped to push the Iranian regime to collapse. But all of Netanyahu’s “bold strategist” efforts ended in obvious failure. The Iranian people rallied even more firmly around their government, and hatred for Israel’s bandit-like actions only grew. This reaction among ordinary Iranians is widely reported by diplomats and global media, including in the U.S. The exception is the Israeli press, which Netanyahu has heavily censored under an endless-seeming wartime regime.
Hegemon? Or Hostage to His Own Delusions?
If each of these actions brought temporary success, does that mean Israel has become the region’s unshakable master? If a hegemon is a force no one can resist, does Israel fit that definition? And crucially: Should neighbors bow their heads, acknowledging its “natural” superiority, as small nations do before great powers?
Reality only laughs in response. Israel’s might is not a sign of dominance, but a desperate attempt to suppress growing resistance. Each new attack breeds new enemies; each bombing creates new avengers. Netanyahu’s hollow “victories” are Pyrrhic—they don’t consolidate power but only rock the boat he himself sits in.
The idea of Israeli hegemony is a doomed utopia. Because true strength lies not in aerial terror but in the ability to negotiate—something neither Israel nor its prime ministers, including the latest failure Netanyahu, have ever learned.
Israel and the Illusion of Regional Dominance
Since its founding in 1948, Israel has demonstrated an impressive ability to survive and strengthen amid hostile surroundings. Relying on cutting-edge military technology and unwavering Western (especially U.S.) support, the country has gained significant influence in the Middle East. Yet, the dream of regional leadership remains unattainable—not due to a lack of strength but because of a lack of legitimacy, recognition from neighbors, and a coherent strategic vision.
With a $27.5 billion budget, Israel boasts one of the world’s most powerful militaries: a nuclear arsenal, advanced missile defense, elite special forces, and cyber warfare units. Its per capita military spending is among the highest globally, and overseas operations—like assassinating Iranian nuclear scientists or striking Syrian facilities—showcase its formidable capabilities.
But military might does not translate into political dominance. Operation Rising Lion in 2025—a joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran’s nuclear sites—exemplified this paradox. Despite tactical success (temporarily destroying centrifuges in Natanz and the underground Fordow facility), the operation was a strategic failure. Iran not only quickly repaired the damage but, as Tehran announced, accelerated its nuclear program, enriching uranium to 90%. Meanwhile, Iran retaliated with effective missile strikes on Israeli bases and the U.S. Al Udeid base in Qatar.
Why Can’t Israel Become a Hegemon?
Several glaring reasons stand out:
- The Demographic Time Bomb – The Arab population within Israel and in occupied territories (Gaza, West Bank) continues to grow, threatening the Jewish character of the state.
- The Palestinian Wound – The unresolved Palestinian issue undermines Israel’s international reputation and unites the Arab world in solidarity with Palestinians. Even Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly emphasized this.
- Geopolitical Isolation – Even normalization with the UAE and Bahrain hasn’t changed the fundamental reality: the Arab world is unwilling to accept Israel as a legitimate regional leader. Powers like Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia see it as a rival, not a partner.
- No Unifying Ideology – Unlike Iran’s “Shiite resistance” or Turkey’s Ottoman nostalgia, Israel lacks a regional vision. Its policy revolves around security and deterrence, not constructive engagement.
True hegemony requires not just military superiority but voluntary recognition. Yet, Israel remains an “outsider” in the region—due to its occupation of Palestinian lands, blockade of Gaza, and reliance on U.S. support, which is seen as dependence on an external power. Even technological marvels like the Iron Dome don’t negate its vulnerability to mass rocket attacks. And with 30% of its military budget coming from U.S. aid, its strategy is predictable.
Israel’s “security through superiority” approach has reached its limit. Operations like *Rising Lion* only accelerate arms races and consolidate enemies. Without a political settlement with Palestinians and normalized relations with neighbors, Israel is doomed to remain a fortress—not a leader.
The Alternative?
Shifting from intimidation to diplomacy. Creating regional security structures where Israel is an equal partner, not an occupier. For now, Netanyahu’s dream of hegemony remains a utopia—because force can be bought, but respect cannot.
Israel will not become a hegemon because it lacks not just military power but legitimacy. Its security depends not on strength but on political reconciliation with neighbors, including Palestinians. The world must realize: instead of blind support for Israel, diplomacy and dialogue are needed. Only this can break the cycle of violence and achieve lasting peace.
Viktor Mikhin, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Middle East Expert
July 29, 2025 -
Posted by aletho |
Ethnic Cleansing, Racism, Zionism, Illegal Occupation, Timeless or most popular, War Crimes | Israel, Middle East, Palestine, Zionism
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