Deep Dive: Iran proxies attack Israel, threaten US interests; Iraq criticized for failing to disarm them

Iran's network of proxies represents a longstanding strategy of asymmetric warfare, allowing Tehran to project power without direct confrontation. Groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and various Shia militias in Iraq and Syria form this axis, rooted in Iran's post-1979 revolutionary ideology of exporting Shia resistance against perceived enemies, including Israel and the US. The current escalation against Israel fits into the broader context of the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023, where Iran-backed actors have intensified rocket attacks and drone strikes from multiple fronts. Iraq's position is precarious as the base for powerful Iran-aligned militias, such as Kata'ib Hezbollah, which operate with significant autonomy despite Baghdad's nominal authority. Iraq faces criticism from the US and allies for not curbing these groups, highlighting the tension between its sovereignty and dependence on both Iranian influence and American security assistance. This dynamic stems from Iraq's fractured post-2003 political landscape, where Shia parties dominate and balance ties with Iran and the West. Geopolitically, this threatens US interests by endangering troops in Iraq and Syria, risking broader regional conflagration that could involve Gulf states and disrupt global energy markets. Israel views these attacks as existential threats, prompting preemptive strikes, while Iran's strategy aims to deter normalization between Israel and Arab states via the Abraham Accords. Cross-border implications extend to Europe via migration pressures and energy prices, and to Asia through trade routes. Looking ahead, escalation risks drawing in more actors, with the US potentially increasing support for Israel and pressuring Iraq via sanctions or aid cuts. Diplomatic off-ramps are slim amid hardened positions, but de-escalation could hinge on ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon. Stakeholders include the US (protecting bases), Israel (defense), Iran (regional hegemony), and Iraq (stability).