Former 8200 Commander: An Alliance That Could Emerge – and Worry Iran
Brigadier General (res.) Hanan Gefen, former commander of Unit 8200, has called for strengthening regional security cooperation between Israel and Gulf states to counter the Iranian threat.
Against the backdrop of the erosion of the United States' status in the Middle East and growing concerns over the Iranian threat, Brigadier General (res.) Hanan Gefen, former commander of Unit 8200, pointed out in an interview with Ido Tauber to a regional connection that could change the balance of power – security cooperation between Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf states.
Gefen described the decline of American influence:
"The United States has been downgraded in the Middle East. The United States is not leading the process; it is being led in this process. Donald Trump has made and is making extremely serious mistakes in managing this strategy."
According to him, Iran has succeeded time and again in exploiting the American president's conduct:
"He had four, five, or more incidents where the United States, together with Israel, led powerful moves against Iran. Iran was in the midst of severe internal crises. At some point, at the eleventh hour, they managed to stop him time and again, and every time he falls into the same trap. And he grumbles, he complains: 'The Iranians are playing us.'"
He further argued that these changes are already affecting the perception of regional countries: "We are standing at the threshold of a new reality in the Middle East. Countries in the region, both the Gulf states and others, are looking at the conduct of the United States, not only regarding Iran, but also regarding Hamas and Hezbollah."
The former 8200 commander determined that Israel must take advantage of the regional change and strengthen the connection with the Gulf states: "What is important for us right now is that we need to take care of ourselves, to join that alliance of Gulf states, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. Maybe not Qatar. They, on one hand, are turning to reconcile with Iran... on the other hand, they will turn to us, because they know they need to defend themselves against Iranian ballistic missiles."
Gefen added that, in his assessment, the developments in the region are still far from over: "We have replaced this war, as of this morning. I hope we are all wrong." According to him, Israel must continue to rely first and foremost on itself and on the regional collaborations it can build, in light of the shifting balance of power.
