The Commander of the Quds Force at the Diplomacy and Resistance Conference

As December 2025 draws to a close, the "armed peace" that currently exists is incredibly fragile, characterized by high-stakes proxy competition and systemic instability. The Syrian transition following the fall of the Assad regime has created a vacuum where various factions, some backed by Iran and others hostile to it, are competing for control, often dragging Israel into the fray to prevent the transfer of sophisticated weaponry. This fragmentation of the Levant means that a conflict between Iran and Israel is no longer just about two nations, but about a dozen different frontlines stretching from the Mediterranean to the Hindu Kush, all of which are interconnected and highly flammable.