The Iran War Is a Global Neoconservative Elite Project, Not Just Israeli Manipulation
Source: Nimrod Flaschenberg. "Netanyahu’s Iran War Is Also the War of Global Neocon Elites." March 6, 2026. jacobin.com
The Gist
The author argues that the war against Iran isn't just Israel pushing America around, but actually involves powerful business and political groups from multiple countries working together. These groups, especially those in the energy and weapons industries, want to keep Western control over Middle Eastern oil and see Iran as the main obstacle to that goal.
Conclusion
The US-Israeli war against Iran is not the result of Israel dragging America into conflict, but rather represents a coordinated effort by neoconservative segments of global ruling classes committed to maintaining Western dominance
Premises
- The war has support from multiple global power centers including US national security establishment, European Atlanticist circles, and conservative Arab Gulf regimes
- This neoconservative alliance is primarily driven by energy and arms industries seeking to maintain American dominance in the Gulf region for stable energy supplies and Western military-economic advantage
- Netanyahu has consistently promoted shared US-Israeli interests in combating Middle Eastern extremism since the 1990s, framing Iran rather than Palestinian occupation as the central regional contradiction
- The weakening of the 'axis of resistance' since October 2023 created a strategic opening that this alliance saw as a unique opportunity to eliminate obstacles to Western interests
- European leaders like Germany's Friedrich Merz actively support the war as serving broader Western interests, despite economic risks
- Conservative Arab Gulf states, despite suffering Iranian attacks, have influential voices advocating for the campaign during Iran's moment of weakness
Assumptions
- Global elite interests can be meaningfully categorized into competing factions (neoconservative vs. other segments)
- Energy and arms industries have sufficient influence to drive major foreign policy decisions across multiple nations
- The 'axis of resistance' genuinely posed a significant obstacle to Western interests in the region
- Netanyahu's long-term strategic vision represents broader Israeli establishment thinking rather than just personal ambition
- Economic and political elites prioritize regional dominance over potential domestic costs of war