International and Regional Policies in the Middle East after the Gaza War

Abstract

The war on Gaza has redefined the region’s domestic politics and relations with external actors. The profound effects of the war on Gaza have had an influential role in reordering regional positions, as well as disrupting the normalization processes between Saudi Arabia and Israel, as well as between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The transformation that occurred after October 7 has put regional actors in charge, which confirms the fragility of diplomatic initiatives in it. In addition, the conflict has highlighted the growing influence of non-state actors, and has prompted a reassessment of regional foreign policies, as well as reaching the conclusion that the American presence in the region before October 7 was seen as declining, while Washington has re-engaged in the region after it.

The war in Gaza marks a turning point in the history of the Middle East, pushing the region onto a new trajectory. Hamas’s October 7 attack and Israel’s response have upended many assumptions about the emerging regional order and the role of the United States in it. With regional developments shaped by regional actors (states and non-states), the new non-polar regional order is network-based and revolves around its

a constantly shifting balance of stability state. The Middle East is vulnerable to singular events, often triggered by networks of non- actors—of which Hamas is one.