Strategic Divergence Between Washington and Tel Aviv in Managing the 2026 War: Regional Dimensions and Trajectories
https://doi.org/10.56989/benkj.v6i7.1980
Keywords:
Strategic Divergence , US Foreign Policy , US-Israel Relations , 2026 War , Regional Security , Geopolitical Balances , Political Pathways , International AlliancesAbstract
This paper examines the structural divergence between the US and Israeli strategies during the joint military operations against Iran in February 2026. The study builds upon the core problematic of the "Alliance Security Dilemma." It highlights the stark contradiction between Tel Aviv's pursuit of a "zero-sum war" aimed at dismantling and balkanizing the Iranian regime, and Washington's pragmatic approach, which employed "coercive diplomacy" to force a political settlement and avert catastrophic repercussions on global energy security and the global economy. The analysis explores how Tehran capitalized on this strategic rift by deploying a "comprehensive deterrence" strategy within the gray zone, ultimately compelling the alliance to accept the April 2026 truce. The paper concludes that the lack of congruent ultimate objectives between Washington and Tel Aviv generated operational friction that hindered decisive military victory.
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