Iran ‘takes the win’ in the Middle East

Excerpt

If anybody has learned how to “take the win” in the Middle East since Oct. 7, it has been Iran.

More than a month has passed since Iranian officials promised “bloodlust” and revenge against Israel for the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. And while the threats continue, no attack has materialized.

It may be tempting to think the increased U.S. military presence in the region is the reason behind this delay. But success rather than fear is the more likely driver of Iranian restraint in this instance. And that’s a problem.

Behnam Ben Taleblu is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank in Washington, D.C.