Israel's Survival Strategy

A White House policy decision puts Israel a step closer to annexing land and settlements to its east. Doing so, however, would risk setting back its recent regional outreach.

Hamas stayed on the sidelines of the recent violence between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the result of an apparent strategic shift for both the country and Gaza's rulers.

With no real land to give its neighbors in exchange for better relations, Israel is hoping a transactional approach to diplomacy will finally earn it the recognition it craves.

The current bout of fighting could spark the largest military exchange between Gaza and Israel since 2014.

Mounting nationalist sentiment will press Israeli leaders to extend more control over Palestinian territory, even if it means jeopardizing the diplomatic relationships critical to Israel's peace and prosperity.

If Israeli forces were responsible, it would fit into a pattern of a more robust and increasingly expansive effort by Israel against Iran and its allies.

The countries' air defenses are ill-equipped to stop Israeli strikes on their soil. Improving their capabilities, however, might open a whole new can of worms.

The incumbent prime minister needs a half-dozen seats for a parliamentary majority. Finding them will be a struggle and will require deep compromises.

Benjamin Netanyahu has made lofty promises to turn out the nationalist vote. Should he win another term, fulfilling them could have long-lasting consequences for Israel.

Incidents in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria suggest Israel has decided to broaden its offensive against Iranian interests in the region despite the risk of a violent backlash.