The fantasy of toppling Middle Eastern regimes is a familiar pattern in Israeli policy - opinion

Elie Podeh, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, argues in this opinion piece that the alleged Mossad plan to overthrow Iran's regime, reportedly led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is a fantasy that ignores historical lessons. The plan, which reportedly involved Kurdish forces and the installation of former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is deemed deeply flawed. Podeh questions the assumption that Kurdish fighters could spark a nationwide uprising, noting that they are a minority lacking broad legitimacy. He also doubts Ahmadinejad's ability to mobilize Iranian society, given his anti-Israeli and antisemitic record. Podeh draws parallels to Israel's 1982 intervention in Lebanon, where the assassination of Bashir Gemayel, a leader installed by Israel, led to failure. He categorizes Israeli interventions into five types: rescuing friendly regimes (e.g., Jordan in 1970), undermining hostile ones (e.g., Kurds in Iraq), neutralizing threats (e.g., destroying nuclear reactors), overthrowing regimes (e.g., attempts against Nasser), and installing friendly ones (e.g., in Lebanon). He concludes that such efforts usually fail, citing the historical record and comparing to US failures in Vietnam and Iraq. The article suggests the plan was misguided and reinforces Israel's image as an interventionist state.

Elie Podeh, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, argues in this opinion piece that the alleged Mossad plan to overthrow Iran's regime, reportedly led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is a fantasy that ignores historical lessons. The plan, which reportedly involved Kurdish forces and the installation of former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is deemed deeply flawed. Podeh questions the assumption that Kurdish fighters could spark a nationwide uprising, noting that they are a minority lacking broad legitimacy. He also doubts Ahmadinejad's ability to mobilize Iranian society, given his anti-Israeli and antisemitic record. Podeh draws parallels to Israel's 1982 intervention in Lebanon, where the assassination of Bashir Gemayel, a leader installed by Israel, led to failure. He categorizes Israeli interventions into five types: rescuing friendly regimes (e.g., Jordan in 1970), undermining hostile ones (e.g., Kurds in Iraq), neutralizing threats (e.g., destroying nuclear reactors), overthrowing regimes (e.g., attempts against Nasser), and installing friendly ones (e.g., in Lebanon). He concludes that such efforts usually fail, citing the historical record and comparing to US failures in Vietnam and Iraq. The article suggests the plan was misguided and reinforces Israel's image as an interventionist state.

The fantasy of toppling Middle Eastern regimes is a familiar pattern in Israeli policy - opinion