In his new book, "Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel and Eleven Days of War," author Jonathan Schanzer explores the role of Iran in the recent conflict and the Biden administration's determined efforts to rejoin the flawed 2015 nuclear deal, even as the Islamic Republic provided assistance to the terrorist group battling Israel.

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In September of this year, Israel officially came under the area of responsibility of the Pentagon's Central Command, which covers the wider Middle East. In his new book, "Gaza Conflict 2021,″ Foundation for Defense of Democracies Senior Vice President for Research Jonathan Schanzer provides an in-depth look at one of the challenges that CENTCOM is undoubtedly grappling with. Specifically, Schanzer delves into what the Israelis call the "war between wars" to degrade Iran's military capabilities in Syria, the Persian Gulf, cyberspace and beyond. As Schanzer notes, the asymmetric war has been an important strategy for Israel. But it may have inadvertently contributed to the Gaza conflict of May 2021.

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With the signing of the Abraham Accords last year, a rare sense of optimism washed over the Middle East. Many in Israel believed that these agreements signaled that the Arab world had given up on the Palestinian cause. Perhaps that was too optimistic. The decision to normalize relations with Israel meant that these countries would prioritize developing a working relationship with a nearby Middle Eastern country. It did not mean that they would renounce Palestinian nationalism. The Gaza war of May 2021 made that abundantly clear.

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On November 3, occasional Dispatch contributor Jonathan Schanzer released a new book titled Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas Israel and Eleven Days of War (FDD Press). The following is a slightly modified excerpt from Chapter 14, "Northern Exposure," which addresses Israel's threat from Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

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A battle is raging over Israel's declaration that six Palestinian non-governmental organizations (NGO) are fronts for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a U.S.-designated terrorist group. Several American NGOs are lashing out at Israel for the move. But they are skating on thin ice. Some of them have worked closely with the six NGOs in question. And if Israel's accusations prove to be true, they could find themselves in hot water.

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