Leo Benderski, at The Blogs

May 8, 2025, 11:55 PM

From Ally to Afterthought: Israel’s New Role in US Policy

After months of friction with the Biden administration over Gaza and years of drift since the Abraham Accords, Donald Trump’s political return was met with extreme optimism in Jerusalem. For much of Israel’s right-wing, Biden’s criticism of the Gaza...

May 5, 2025, 5:54 AM

Symbolic Alliances vs. Operational Utility in Policy

Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has confronted a strategic landscape defined by encirclement, hostility, and diplomatic marginalization. In response to these conditions, Israeli strategists adopted the Periphery Doctrine during the Cold War, seeking alliances with non-Arab, geopolitically peripheral...

May 2, 2025, 12:38 AM

Is Jordan the Next Domino in Iran’s Regional Game?

As instability deepens across the Middle East in 2025, Jordan—long regarded as a bastion of pragmatic statecraft and relative calm—is edging toward a critical breaking point. Escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank, Iranian proxy activity along its...

Apr 27, 2025, 12:11 PM

Israel and the ICC: Human Rights and Human Wrongs

Recent developments at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have reignited fierce controversy—not over arrest warrants themselves, but over Israel’s fundamental objection to the Court’s authority. A few days ago, the ICC’s Appeals Chamber ordered a reconsideration of Israel’s argument...

Apr 21, 2025, 8:40 AM

Annexation, Settlements, and the One-State Threat

In the aftermath of October 7, Israel has been navigating an emotionally charged landscape. The unprecedented attacks by Hamas left a national scar and fueled deep anger, distrust, and a growing appetite for retaliation. For many, this trauma has...

Apr 17, 2025, 11:59 PM

Israel-Saudi Normalization Won’t Happen—Here’s Why

In the months leading up to October 7, normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia was widely expected to be a transformative geopolitical shift. It promised to redefine power dynamics in the Middle East, aligning strategic interests and opening major...

Apr 16, 2025, 9:27 PM

The Iran Dilemma: Best Case, Worst Case, No Case

As Iran and the United States circle each other once again in nuclear negotiations, the stakes are rising — not just for the immediate players, but for the entire region. For Israel, the implications are existential. Some view the...

Mar 16, 2025, 5:00 PM

Beyond Proportionality: Rethinking Western Views on the Houthis

Last night, the United States carried out its most extensive strike yet against the Houthis in Yemen, targeting radar installations, air defenses, and missile systems. The attack resulted in at least 31 deaths and over 100 injuries, significantly weakening...

Mar 14, 2025, 8:07 PM

Middle East at a Crossroads: Adapting to US Disengagement

While many Israelis are understandably content with the Trump administration’s policies, they often fail to consider the broader picture of long-term US strategic thinking in the Middle East. Despite the excitement over Trump’s current rhetoric and close Israel-US relations,...

Mar 10, 2025, 7:19 AM

Israel’s Playbook for Dealing with Turkey

Dr. Dan Schueftan, a respected authority on Middle Eastern geopolitics, once said: “In the Middle East, there are no solutions. Maybe, if you work very hard, over a long period of time, and if you are lucky, you can replace...

About Me

Leo Benderski is a university student from Germany with a passion for exploring Israeli national security, Middle Eastern geopolitics, and strategic affairs. Currently pursuing his studies at the University of Mannheim, Leo combines rigorous academic inquiry with active engagement in regional developments. Through his writing, he seeks to provide thoughtful, balanced perspectives on complex geopolitical issues, aiming to inform and encourage meaningful dialogue among readers. When he's not analyzing policy or international relations, Leo enjoys connecting with fellow enthusiasts, expanding his knowledge, and staying curious about the evolving dynamics of global politics.

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