Escalation by Any Other Name: The Unending Cycle of Conflict in the Middle East The latest round of attacks between Iran and its Gulf neighbors has brought the region to a boiling point once again, with Kuwait's announcement that an Iranian strike had hit another water and electricity plant serving as a grim reminder that the conflict between Tehran and Washington shows no signs of abating.
Historically, such cycles of escalation have been characteristic of the Middle East. The intricate web of alliances and rivalries has made it difficult to disentangle cause from effect.
This time around, however, there's an added layer of complexity – one that threatens not only regional stability but also the global economy.