Tit-for-tat attacks between Iran and the US over the weekend highlighted the fragile nature of the current ceasefire underpinning ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
But perhaps more of a worry was what was going on in Lebanon. Just a day after the signing of a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes continued in the southern part of the war-torn country. And in any event, Hezbollah – the Iran-sponsored Shiite group fighting Israel – has rejected that
deal and accused the government in Beirut of selling out Lebanon’s sovereignty.
All of which underscores the points being made by Amy McAuliffe in today’s lead story. She outlines Israel’s “campaign between the wars” – which has been central to the country’s Iran containment strategy for at least the past decade.
The logic behind these ongoing limited military strikes, covert action and cyberattacks across the Middle East is to “downgrade the capabilities of Iran and its allies” and ensure “Israel will be better prepared for future wars by maintaining a qualitative military advantage,” writes McAuliffe.
But the policy poses a challenge for the United States as it seeks to move beyond the Iran war. “In fact, Israel’s ‘campaign between the wars’ risks widening the split with Washington and restarting war with Iran and its
allies over the
long term,” McAuliffe argues.
Tensions are mounting in South Africa ahead of a deadline set by anti-foreigner groups for migrants to leave the country by today, June 30. Migrants have long been easy scapegoats. In the third decade of the 21st century, anti-foreigner sentiment has reached a new pitch in developed countries such as the US and the UK as well as in developing countries like South Africa. Foreigners are blamed for the ills of society, including all the hardships faced by citizens.
Justin Visagie and Ruth Castel-Branco have been conducting research into South Africa’s multiple social and economic crises, including unemployment, inequality, labour markets and social protection. They note that South Africans have justifiable grievances. But are immigrants to blame? They conclude not.
