New regional connectivity projects, such as the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) and the Development Road, have garnered much optimism across the region. However, with the Gaza war showing no signs of ending, the long-term sustainability of these trade projects is now in doubt. What is certain is that regional security is necessary for the success of these endeavors. Nonetheless, achieving the latter seems far-fetched in the near term given the rising tensions across West Asia.

Israel’s strategic maneuvers

On Sept. 9-10, 2023, just a month before the eruption of the Gaza war, a coalition of nations including France, Germany, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States—as well as the European Union—came together to jointly draft a proposal for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The initiative proposes a ship-to-rail transit network designed to...