Why Is Israel Targeting Everyone in the Middle East?

In a year marked by unprecedented escalations, Israel’s military footprint across the Middle East has expanded dramatically—from airstrikes in Qatar’s diplomatic heart to direct confrontations with Iran and ongoing operations in Gaza and Lebanon. On September 9, 2025, Israel conducted its first-ever strike on Doha, targeting Hamas leaders during US-brokered ceasefire talks, killing several including a Qatari security officer. This brazen move, coupled with a June 2025 air and drone campaign deep into Iranian territory, has sparked global outrage and questions: Why is Israel seemingly targeting “everyone” in the region? Is this a solo quest for dominance, a proxy for American interests, or fuel for a lucrative security market born from perpetual insecurity?

The Roots of Escalation:

Israel’s 2025 military operations aren’t isolated incidents but a calculated strategy rooted in existential security threats, historical grievances, and a doctrine of preemptive dominance. At its core, Jerusalem views the “Axis of Resistance”—Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis—as an existential encirclement demanding proactive dismantling.

Historical and Strategic Angles

The October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks set the stage, but 2025 has seen a “maximalist” pivot. Israel’s “Iron Wall” operation in the West Bank, launched January 21, 2025, targeted Palestinian militants amid rising settler violence, displacing thousands. By June, this evolved into direct war with Iran: 12 days of intense airstrikes ended in a fragile ceasefire, reshaping alliances. Strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and now Hamas in Qatar signal a “battlefronts everywhere” approach.

From a political angle, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition frames these as “self-defense,” but critics argue it’s adventurism to deflect domestic scandals and entrench control. Economically, Israel’s tech-savvy military (drones, cyber ops) projects power while minimizing casualties—vital for a nation of 9.8 million facing demographic pressures.

Humanitarian and Regional Effects

The fallout is catastrophic. In Gaza, April-May 2025 violence intensified with an expanding Israeli buffer zone, confirming famine via UN assessments and displacing 1 million more. Lebanon’s south saw civilian strikes in Ansariyeh and Aitaroun, violating UNIFIL ceasefires. Yemen’s health crisis worsened from aid cuts and strikes, with Houthi missiles intercepted over Tel Aviv as recently as August 1.

Regionally, the Doha strike shattered mediation norms, prompting Qatar to suspend talks and convene an Arab-Islamic summit. Gulf states now demand deterrence against Israel, fearing spillover. Globally, it erodes post-WWII diplomacy, with UN chief Guterres decrying sovereignty violations.

Is Israel Waging Wars for America?

The notion of Israel as America’s “proxy force” in the Middle East persists, but 2025 data reveals a more nuanced, strained alliance. Historically, the US has provided $3.8 billion annually in aid, viewing Israel as a bulwark against Iran and a democratic foothold. Yet, post-October 7, US public favorability toward Israel plummeted to historic lows, with enthusiasm “evaporating.”

Proxy Dynamics in 2025

Critics like Dan Steinbock argue Israel’s Iran offensive is a US-backed regime-change bid, not just nukes. The April 2024 shift to direct Israel-Iran strikes, escalating to June 2025 war, saw US endorsements but no boots-on-ground. A leaked postwar Gaza plan echoes US “voluntary relocation” ideas, hinting at aligned visions.

However, divergences emerge: Trump’s return emboldens Netanyahu, but Biden-era volatility on Gaza/Iran strains ties. The US-Israel “strategic partnership” to 2047 emphasizes shared threats, yet Iran’s proxy collapse exposes asymmetric limits. Effects? A tri-pillar order (Israel-Turkey-Gulf) favored by Washington, but at risk from Arab backlash.

In short: Israel advances US interests, but not as a pure proxy—more a volatile partner in a multipolar mess.

Does Insecurity Create a Security Market?

Perpetual threats don’t just breed fear; they forge fortunes. Insecurity in the Middle East has supercharged a “security market” where arms dealers, tech firms, and contractors thrive on chaos. SIPRI’s 2025 data confirms: Conflicts like Israel’s 2025 strikes correlate with a 20% dip in regional imports (2020-24), but overall, the Middle East snagged 27% of global arms transfers.

This vicious cycle—attack, defend, buy—fuels innovation: Israel’s post-Doha cyber ops highlight drone/AI demand, while Yemen’s Red Sea disruptions spike naval spending. Effects? Widened inequality (arms to elites), stalled development, and ethical quandaries as non-lethal weapons markets hit $348 million by 2033.

A $46 Billion Behemoth by 2030

The region’s volatility positions it as a goldmine. In 2025, the Middle East military vehicles market alone stands at $34.25 billion, projected to reach $46.49 billion by 2030 (CAGR 6.3%). Broader arms imports, despite a 20% drop, remain top-tier: US exports to the region hit 33% of its total.

Potential? If escalations persist, analysts predict a $200 billion ecosystem by 2035, blending US/Israeli tech with emerging multipolar suppliers. But at what cost? Diverted funds exacerbate humanitarian woes, like Gaza’s famine.

Beyond Saudi:

Excluding Saudi Arabia, Arab states are diversifying defenses amid Israel’s shadow. The UAE leads with Abraham Accords tech pacts, investing in AI surveillance and joining US-led drills. Egypt bolsters Suez security via Russian S-400 systems and border walls against Sinai threats.

• UAE & Bahrain: Enhanced cyber defenses post-Doha, with $3.2 billion Israel trade (up 11% in 2024) focusing on joint weapons R&D.
• Qatar & Oman: Neutral mediation shifts to hybrid models—Qatar’s suspension post-strike led to GCC-wide air defense upgrades.
• Jordan & Iraq: Border fortifications against Syrian spillover, with Jordan eyeing Chinese drones.
• GCC Collective: June 2025 ministerial council rejected unilateral Israeli moves, pushing Al Quds security pacts.

These steps aim for “collective security,” reducing US reliance while eyeing multipolar options.

China and Russia:

As US dominance wanes, China and Russia are carving niches. China’s “shared security” vision ties into Belt and Road, with March 2025 Gulf nuclear/fintech deals and Iran-Russia naval drills. Russia, post-Ukraine, sells S-400s to Egypt/Turkey, abstaining on UN Red Sea resolutions to shield proxies.

In 2025’s Israel-Iran war, both played minimal roles—condemning strikes but avoiding entanglement, preserving US distraction for Asia/Europe gains. July’s China-Russia meet urged Middle East coordination for peace, but arms exports (Russia down 64%, China up via tech) signal market grabs. Effects: A polarized region, with Gulf states balancing Western ties against Eastern alternatives.

The Global Market of War:

Zooming out, the “war market” is humanity’s grimest industry. SIPRI reports 2024 global military spending at $2.443 trillion—the highest ever—with 2025 projections higher amid Middle East flares. US exports dominate at 43% ($632 billion for top 100 firms, up 4.2%).

Weapons/ammo markets alone: $65.56 billion in 2025, hitting $125.5 billion by 2035. Middle East’s slice? A quarter of imports, but global ripple effects—like EU’s single defense market push—show war’s economic web.

Israel’s 2025 targeting spree—driven by survival instincts yet amplifying insecurity—exposes a region at multipolar crossroads. US ties endure but fray, while arms markets balloon on fear. Arab diversification and Sino-Russian inroads hint at alternatives, but without new security pacts, escalation looms. The Doha strike’s echo: Force alone reshapes maps, but at humanity’s expense. For peace, diplomacy must reclaim sovereignty—before the security market devours us all.