+972 reports:

Five days after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, this volatile new war shows no signs of winding down. What began with a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, military leaders, and scientists has escalated into a tit-for-tat exchange, with civilians in Israel and Iran bearing the brunt of the damage.

While Israel has claimed initial tactical victories — establishing aerial dominance and carrying out coordinated operations inside Iranian territory — it now faces mounting retaliation. Iran’s nightly missile attacks have repeatedly overwhelmed Israel’s air defenses, including in major urban centers, killing at least 24 people. In Iran, health officials say Israel’s attacks have killed well over 200 people and wounded more than 1,000 others.

Despite the initial show of force, Israel’s strategy remains murky — besides seeking to pressure the United States to join the war. And with its economy teetering, over 100,000 citizens stranded abroad, and public fear growing under intense bombardment, the long-term viability of this new war effort is not yet clear. All the while, Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza continues unabated.

To help make sense of Israel’s motivations in opening up a new front and assess what the coming days and weeks might bring, +972 spoke with Ori Goldberg, a leading Israeli academic and political commentator who has spent years studying the Iranian regime. [Continue reading…]