"Iran's Proxy Influence: The Rising Stakes in Middle East Conflicts"

The Middle East has seen a surge in violence as Iran-allied militant groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and militias in Iraq and Syria, have escalated attacks on U.S., Israeli, and global targets. These attacks come in response to Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which began on October 7th after Hamas's cross-border raids. The United States is actively trying to de-escalate the situation, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting the region. The militant groups, unified under the late Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani's vision, have shown a readiness to support each other against threats to their survival. Meanwhile, extremist Sunni groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaida are also calling for attacks against Western targets in retaliation for the Gaza conflict.