A turning point

• Iran’s October 1 missile attack on Israel escalates the multi-party conflict in West Asia.
• Israel’s attack on the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, in April 2023, and Israel’s symbolic strike at a radar system in Isfahan in July 2023, escalated the conflict.
• Israel’s retaliation was vowed but showed restraint, promising to hold back fire if a ceasefire was reached in Gaza.
• Israel expanded the war in the north with Hezbollah and launched waves of attacks on Lebanon.
• The current conflict is escalating due to no party deterring its rivals.
• The abdication of leadership by U.S. President Joe Biden has worsened the situation.
• The war in Gaza remains unfinished, and a regional war could break out any time.
• A full-blown war would be catastrophic and could spiral out of control with multiple parties involved.
• Major world powers, including the U.S. and China, should prioritize preventing such an outcome.
• West Asia is at an inflection point, requiring emphatic diplomatic intervention to break out of its conflict loop.