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Conference panelist says Iran—s proxy network and timing of Hamas attack undermined Abraham Accords and raised risk of wider war
Summary
At the University of Montana conference, the panelist focused on Iran—s use of proxies (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis) and argued the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent developments have reshaped Middle East dynamics and increased the risk of a broader Iran‑Israel confrontation.
Dr. Adi Kia, co‑director of the Central and Southwest Asian Studies Center at the University of Montana, told conference attendees that Iran—s support for proxy groups has created a "ring of fire" around Israel that altered the region—s diplomatic trajectory and interrupted progress on the Abraham Accords.
Speaking at the Central and Southwest Asian Studies Conference in Missoula, Dr. Kia described the region as entering "a new cold war" with rival blocs and said the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack marked a turning point. "The Middle East changed on that day and the days that followed," he said, linking the Hamas operation to what he described as Iranian proxy strategy.
Why it matters: Dr. Kia argued that…
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