Was the so-called 12-day war a triple victory or a triple defeat? Will Americans tolerate a policy of “Israel first” over “America first”? The answers to these and other key questions will determine whether, and how deeply, the United States could be drawn into the fray again.

The bunker-busting strike by United States will only harden the resolve of many in Iran to push for nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the two countries may fall into a pattern of “attack-retaliate-attack,” which could develop into one of the biggest failures in human history.

The Israel/U.S. Iran offensive is not about nuclear weapons. It is about still another unwarranted proxy war. It aims at the restoration of pre-1979 Iran.

The U.S. president’s mid-may trip Middle East found a region unlike the one he tamed in his first term. His encore performance, though bold, reveals a region slipping from the grasp of his once-potent diplomatic playbook. GCC states are increasingly asserting themselves as they look for harmony.

U.S. policy ultimately will be defined by Israel. With Donald Trump in the White House, the Middle East will become even more vulnerable, and the security situation may erode. Saudi Arabia may not get the security guarantees it wants from the United States, and Iran will continue to be in the picture.

The Israelis have two primary war objectives: the complete elimination of Hamas and the rescue of all hostages. But these goals are inherently contradictory and cannot be pursued at the same time. Israel is thus faced with a difficult choice about which to prioritize.

Middle Eastern nations are capitalizing on Donald Trump’s penchant for unprincipled, no-limits deal-making, even though he has yet to assume office. These countries are scrambling to position themselves for the high-stakes negotiations that lie ahead.

Threats of violence are pushing the region to the brink. Israel said it would exact a “deadly and heavy” toll for any Iranian attack. In turn, Iran promised to “retaliate tenfold,” and its hardliners want to lift the ban on developing nuclear weapons. Lines are blurring that were once seen as inviolable.

Israel’s Iran reprisals aren't over. A broader attack may ensue in cooperation with the United States, while the war-weary, ailing region would prefer to focus on economic development with China.

China’s efforts to mediate between various Palestinian groups is a first step toward bridging the divide between Palestine and Israel. The U.S. must also take ownership of its responsibility and similarly employ its significant influence over Israel.