Is the Turmoil Good or Bad for Israel?

Israel's relations with its Middle-Eastern neighbors are constantly shifting and heavily determined by the Palestinian situation. The recent ceasefire and planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza have led to a similar thaw with other countries in the region. Egypt has seized the chance to assist Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and intends to strengthen economic ties with Israel. And while worries over Hizbullah persist, Israel projects that the hoped-for distancing of Hamas from the intifada will spread to other extremist groups. Nevertheless, the regional situation remains uneasy. Syria's stranglehold on Lebanon will soon be loosened, but a substantial Lebanese extremist support base and anti-Israeli activity persists. Even more troubling is Iran's continued nuclear threat; though unlikely to pose an immediate threat, it still represents a definite long-term menace. Even if Israel preserves the Palestinian ceasefire and strengthens ties with other neighbors, its security situation remains riddled with potential minefields. – YaleGlobal