As Iran, according to IAEA Director Rafael Grossi, “is galloping toward a nuclear bomb”, we are watching a rapid realignment of loyalties within the Middle East. Beijing has brokered an agreement between Riyadh and Tehran, and many nations have renewed old alliances that we had thought, only a few short years ago, had been severed, as a result of the Abraham Accords. We are watching as the Gulf Cooperation Council is embracing ties with Damascus, despite the fact that Syrian President Bashir Assad had murdered hundreds of thousands of his own dissidents, and created 5.5 million refugees, since 2011. Syria’s allies, Iran, China, and Russia are therefore feeling empowered, not only within the Middle East but throughout the globe.

However, this new empowerment, and the strength of the Iranian proxies that surround Israel, might possibly lead to an existential challenge for Israel. How are the Israelis prepared for this challenge? Are they left, once again, feeling alone and abandoned within the Middle East? Where will the United States be, in such a scenario? Beyond that, where would Hezbollah and Hamas be during such a scenario? Would they jump into the fray, forcing Israel to fight on all fronts?

Brigadier General (Ret.) Amir Avivi is the Founder and CEO of Israel’s Defense and Security Forum (IDSF) which is comprised of more than 17,000 senior reserve/retired officers, commanders, and operators from all branches of the Israeli security establishment. Retired from the IDF after more than 30 years of military, counter-terrorism, and national security experience, he held various command positions in the Corps of Engineers leading thousands of soldiers in a dynamic environment combating terrorism.

About the Speaker: Brigadier General Amir Avivi (ret.) concluded his service as the Head of the Auditing and Consulting Department of the Israeli Defense Establishment, (including the Israel Defense Force, the Ministry of Defense and Israeli Military Industries). In that position, Avivi managed more than 100 military auditors and advisors. He was responsible for the audit of military readiness, budgeting, procurement, projects, bids, cyber, logistics, infrastructure and operations. Avivi fulfilled various command positions in the Corps of Engineers leading thousands of soldiers in a dynamic combat environment.

Avivi served as Brigade commander, Deputy Division commander and head of the Military School of Engineers. He also served as the aide-de-camp for the Chief of the General Staff of the IDF, Lt. General Moshe “Bogie” Yaalon.

Avivi was at the heart of the policy making process in the Israeli Government and Defense establishment during that term. Avivi also serves as the Principal of the New State Solution working group. Avivi is the Founder & CEO of Habithonistim.