Seth J. Frantzman

With 2025 coming to a close, many of Israel's issues remain unresolved. It’s worth examining 2026's challenges one at a time and assessing the hurdles Israel still faces.

Multiple vehicles were torched in Negev towns overnight, with police linking the incidents to reprisals following ongoing operations in nearby Bedouin communities.

A rare dispute between Saudi Arabia and the UAE erupted after Riyadh launched airstrikes in Yemen, accusing Abu Dhabi-backed forces of threatening stability by seizing territory.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) stated “it would stand firmly against any unrest or territorial aggression, warning adversaries against miscalculation.” 

The Houthis targeted Riyadh for years until Saudi Arabia was able to secure a kind of ceasefire in Yemen and also reconcile with Iran over the last few years.

Iraq continues to face challenges as it navigates between the Iranian influence on the country and a push by the US and others to roll back Iranian-backed militias.

The Southern Transition Council (STC) is seen as being backed by the UAE. Although the UAE and Saudi Arabia share many regional interests, they do not always agree on Yemen.

Iraq’s top leadership is divided along sectarian lines, with the president being Kurdish and the prime minister usually a Shi’ite. The lower-level speaker of parliament's role goes to Sunnis.

Trump and Netanyahu are expected to focus on Gaza’s ceasefire, hostages and regional tensions as questions grow over whether the deal can move to its next phase.

Two rounds of Jordanian airstrikes hit smuggling targets in southern Syria, underscoring Amman’s demand for stronger action against drug gangs operating near its border.