A new nexus of peace may be forming in the Middle East, with Israel now exploring potential security alliances with its former foes, Syria and Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Sunday that the war against the common disruptive element of Hezbollah has created an unexpected basis for cooperation and direct talks.
The most developed part of this potential new nexus is with Syria. The fall of the Assad regime, a cornerstone of the old “axis of resistance,” has allowed the new government to explore a more cooperative relationship with Israel. A Syrian official has confirmed that talks to finalize security and military pacts are a top priority.
In Lebanon, the foundation for this nexus is being built by strengthening the state at the expense of Hezbollah. As Israel weakens the militia, the U.S. is encouraging the Lebanese government to step into the role of a reliable security partner. Beirut’s decision to disarm Hezbollah is the first step in this direction.
Netanyahu explained the logic of this new alignment. “The possibility of peace… was not even imagined before our recent operations,” he stated. He confirmed that the initial work on building this new nexus has shown “some progress” with Syria.
If this new nexus solidifies, it could fundamentally change the region. A demilitarized and cooperative border with Syria, combined with a sovereign Lebanon in control of its territory, would replace the old axis of resistance with a new alignment focused on stability and security.