Frontiers of influence: Will Israel-Iran rivalry reach Africa?

In addition to the crimes against humanity that Israel committed in Gaza, its aggressive stance in the Middle East has become increasingly uncontrollable, leading its ally, the U.S., into a war with Iran. At the same time, its expansionist approach toward Palestine and its strikes on Iran have constrained the Tel Aviv administration, compelling it to reassess and adapt its foreign policy. In this search for new spheres of influence, Africa has emerged as a potential focus. During the Cold War, Israeli foreign policy focused on forming alliances with non-Arab actors in the Middle East to neutralize potential threats, as it was surrounded by hostile Arab states in the region. Today, Israel perceives Iran and the Houthis in Yemen as its biggest threats in the Middle East. Tel Aviv is trying to create a new containment strategy to both neutralize these threats and ensure the smooth functioning of global maritime trade, which is vital for its economy.