After Iran: Is This the Unraveling of the US-Israeli Order?

The knives are out—and this time, they are not aimed at Tehran, but at Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:56am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a solitary government building or political figure in a state of quiet contemplation, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of uncertainty and transition in the regional power dynamics.The unraveling of the US-Israeli regional order leaves the future of the Middle East uncertain, as the failure to defeat Iran challenges long-held assumptions about power and influence.Washington Today

The article examines the fallout from the recent US-Iran conflict, arguing that it has exposed the fragility of the US-Israeli regional order and the growing distance between Washington and its Arab allies. It suggests that the failure to defeat Iran has undermined Netanyahu's vision of a 'new Middle East' aligned with Israeli interests, and raises questions about whether Arab governments will continue to anchor themselves to this failing project.

Why it matters

This story is significant because it suggests a potential shift in the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East, with the US-Israeli dominance being challenged and the possibility of a new regional order emerging. The article highlights the strategic and ideological stakes involved, as well as the potential for major geopolitical consequences in the coming days and weeks.

The details

The article outlines how the recent US-Iran conflict was seen by Netanyahu and several Arab governments as a necessary step to eliminate the perceived Iranian threat and secure the realization of a 'new Middle East' aligned with Israeli interests. However, Trump's decision to pursue a settlement with Iran, despite opposition from key regional allies, has disrupted this trajectory. The author argues that the failure to defeat Iran has exposed the fragility of the Israeli-Arab alignment and raised questions about whether Arab governments will continue to anchor themselves to this failing project.

  • The US-Iran conflict took place in recent months.
  • Trump's decision to pursue a settlement with Iran was made in defiance of strong opposition from key regional allies.
  • The Palestinian operation and subsequent Israeli genocide in Gaza occurred in October 2026, disrupting the momentum of the Israeli-Arab alignment.

The players

Donald Trump

The former US president who initially escalated the conflict with Iran but later pursued a settlement, despite opposition from key regional allies.

Benjamin Netanyahu

The former Israeli prime minister who saw the conflict with Iran as a necessary step to secure his vision of a 'new Middle East' aligned with Israeli interests.

Chris Christie

The former New Jersey governor and longtime Republican insider who criticized Trump and the Republican establishment for enabling him.

Jared Kushner

Trump's son-in-law, who played a key role in engineering the normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states.

Antony Blinken

The US Secretary of State who attempted to salvage the framework of the Israeli-Arab alignment after the Palestinian operation and Israeli genocide in Gaza.

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What they’re saying

“Even the ever morally flexible Chris Christie moved quickly. The former New Jersey governor and longtime Republican insider, speaking on CNN, did not merely criticize Trump; he used the moment to indict establishment Republicans for enabling him in the first place.”

— Chris Christie, Former New Jersey Governor

“If this ceasefire holds, and especially if it matures into a permanent agreement between Washington and Tehran, then his long-constructed vision of a 'new Middle East' does not simply stall—it collapses.”

— Benjamin Netanyahu, Former Israeli Prime Minister

What’s next

The coming days and weeks are decisive, as Israel and the US will attempt to reinterpret events to save face and revive their project of dominance, while Arab media will work to minimize what Iran sees as victory. The key question is whether Arab governments will continue to anchor themselves to this failing US-Israeli project or recalibrate their approach in the face of a shifting regional landscape.

The takeaway

This story highlights the potential unraveling of the US-Israeli regional order, as the failure to defeat Iran has undermined Netanyahu's vision of a 'new Middle East' and raised questions about the sustainability of the Israeli-Arab alignment. The outcome of this conflict could have far-reaching implications for the future of the Middle East, with the possibility of a new regional order emerging that is not defined by the dominance of the US and Israel.