October 7th... One Year Later

A year has passed since the brutal onslaught of October 7, 2023—and the Middle East today looks very different. In this reflective essay, Raphaël Jerusalmy examines the transformation of regional power balances. Israel’s intelligence reconstruction has been swift and ruthless. New cyber-defense capabilities and revamped special-forces brigades now deter would-be aggressors. Yet at home, political infighting over security and judicial reforms continues to test national unity. Abroad, alliances have shifted: some Arab states, once reticent, now openly collaborate on security matters, while traditional partners press Israel to redouble diplomatic efforts. The lessons of the past year underscore a delicate equilibrium: military preparedness must be coupled with political acumen. Looking ahead to October 7, 2025, Jerusalmy argues that the region’s fate will hinge on whether leaders choose dialogue or division, reconstruction or retaliation—choices that will echo through generations.