(Middle East) at the Crossroads of Transformations: Hybrid Warfare and Remapping Power Dr. Ahmed Shoutari:
Translated from Arabic by Ibrahim Ebeid. March 7/2026
(Middle East) at the Crossroads of Transformations: Hybrid Warfare and Remapping Power
Dr. Ahmed AL -Shoutari:
World War III did not start with a gunshot; it began years ago through politics, economics, and culture, and today’s military battle is only the final touch in reordering the international order. The Arab Mashreq, with its vital location and strategic arteries, has become the heart of the struggle over energy, trade, and major balances, as vital corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Suez Canal are not just transit points but the keys to power in the equation of global domination.
The escalation against Iran is part of an integrated strategy to redefine its regional role, not as a goal to overthrow the state, but to reset the ceiling of its movement within a tight deterrence equation. At the same time, the United States is moving to manage the balance through proxies and allies, while the role of the Zionist entity is shifting into an advanced security pillar to set the pace and prevent the formation of counter-alliances.
The real danger lies in the disintegration of the regional order if pivotal powers such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan do not move to form an independent deterrent balance that transforms geography from an arena of conflict into a space of power.
The current moment is not just a crisis, but a redefinition of sovereignty, security, and the strategic nature of the Levant, or what is called the Middle East in the West. Those who lack a long-term strategic vision will find themselves the object of reshaping rather than being active in shaping the future. Only the powers that understand the structural transformation and adopt integrated deterrence equations can protect their interests and shift geography in their favor. At the same time, the rest are just a margin on maps drawn from beyond their control.
Note, translated from Arabic by Ibrahim Ebeid.March 7/2026
