# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "A catastrophe called Israel" by Abbas Nasir, Published in Dawn on June 15th, 2025:* The article examines *Israel*'s military campaign against *Iran*, analyzing its objectives and broader implications for the *Middle East*. *Israel*'s stated goal is to halt *Iran*'s nuclear weapons program, but the campaign also aims for *regime change* in *Tehran* to install a government more favorable to *Israeli* interests, similar to other *regional allies* who only offer *perfunctory condemnation* of *Palestinian ethnic cleansing*. The wider war serves to divert attention from the *Gaza genocide*, described as the *worst ethnic cleansing of this century*, involving *relentless bombing*, *military attacks*, and *mass starvation* through a *food blockade*. The article suggests this is part of the *American president's Gaza Riviera Plan*, envisioning *beachside resorts* after forcibly displacing *2 million Palestinians*. The *Gaza conflict* isn't truly about *Israeli hostages* from the *October 2023 attack*, as evidenced by *presidential envoy Steve Witkoff* walking away from *hostage exchange deals* multiple times, while *hundreds of Palestinians* remain in *Israeli captivity*. Despite *unconditional US support*, *President Donald Trump* appears reluctant to commit *US forces* directly, though *Netanyahu* seeks to draw *America* into the conflict. Former *Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak* assessed that *Israel*'s air campaign may only *delay Iran's nuclear acquisition* by *weeks*, even with *US involvement* extending this to merely *months*. *Iran* possesses *400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium* that can be upgraded to *90% weapons-grade* in a garage with proper equipment. Key *Iranian facilities* are located *hundreds of yards underground* in *old mines*, making them *unreachable* by airstrikes. *Barak* advocates using initial campaign successes to pursue a *nuclear deal* with *Iran*, end the *Gaza war*, and achieve *regional peace* including with *Saudi Arabia*. He doubts *regime change* is possible without *US ground troops*, citing failed *American wars* in *Korea*, *Vietnam*, and *Afghanistan*. *Trump*'s *2018 withdrawal* from the *Obama nuclear deal* pushed *Iran* to restart *uranium enrichment* closer to *weapons-grade levels*. The conflict appears more about forcing *Iran* to submit to *Israeli-US will* than preventing nuclear weapons. With *Western weaponry supplies*, *Israel* can likely outlast *Iran* in an *attrition war*, given *Iran*'s lack of *air force* and inadequate *air defense*. *Iran*'s arsenal of *2,000 ballistic missiles* faces sustainability questions, and if cornered, *Iran* might target *US bases* and *regional allies* to expand the conflict. The outcome will impact *millions of lives* and the *global economy*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Israel*'s war against *Iran* aims to halt its *nuclear program* and achieve *regime change*, while diverting from *Gaza genocide*. Former *Israeli PM Ehud Barak* says airstrikes only *delay Iran's nuclear capability* by *weeks* due to *underground facilities* and *400kg of enriched uranium*. *Trump* withdrew from the *2018 nuclear deal*, restarting *Iran's enrichment*. With *Western support*, *Israel* can outlast *Iran's 2,000 missiles*, but *regime change* requires *US ground troops*. If cornered, *Iran* may target *US bases*, affecting *global economy* and *millions of lives*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Pursue Nuclear Diplomacy* Restart *nuclear negotiations* similar to the *Obama-era deal* with *sanctions relief* for *uranium restrictions*. ## *2. End Gaza Blockade* Lift the *food blockade* and allow *humanitarian aid* to prevent *mass starvation* in *Gaza*. ## *3. Hostage Exchange Deal* Complete *prisoner exchanges* to release *Israeli hostages* and *Palestinian detainees*. ## *4. Regional Peace Initiative* Include *Saudi Arabia* and other *Arab states* in comprehensive *Middle East peace talks*. ## *5. Third-Party Mediation* Engage *UN*, *EU*, or *neutral countries* to mediate between *Israel* and *Iran*. ## *6. De-escalation Measures* Implement *ceasefire agreements* and *confidence-building measures* to reduce tensions. ## *7. Economic Sanctions Relief* Offer gradual *sanctions lifting* in exchange for *Iranian nuclear compliance*. ## *8. Address Palestinian Rights* End *ethnic cleansing* and ensure *Palestinian self-determination* and *statehood*. ## *9. Nuclear Non-Proliferation* Strengthen *IAEA monitoring* and *international nuclear safeguards* in the region. ## *10. US Policy Shift* Reassess *unconditional Israeli support* and promote *balanced Middle East policy*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Israel*'s main objective is stopping *Iran*'s nuclear weapons acquisition. - *2 million Palestinians* face forceful displacement from *Gaza*. - *October 2023 atrocity* led to *Israeli hostages* being taken by *Hamas*. - *Steve Witkoff* walked away from *hostage deals* at least *twice*. - *Iran* has *400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium*. - *90% enrichment* can be achieved in a garage with proper equipment. - *Iranian facilities* are *hundreds of yards underground* in *old mines*. - *Trump* scrapped the *Obama nuclear deal* in *2018*. - *Iran* reportedly has *2,000 ballistic missiles* in its arsenal. - *Iran* has no effective *air force* and inadequate *air defense*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Gaza*'s population before the war was *2.3 million* (*UN*, 2023). - *Israel* has killed over *45,000 Palestinians* in *Gaza* (*Gaza Health Ministry*, 2024). - *Iran*'s uranium stockpile increased *2,500%* after *Trump*'s deal withdrawal (*IAEA*, 2024). - *US military aid* to *Israel* totals *$3.8 billion annually* (*Congressional Research Service*, 2024). - *Iran* spends *$16 billion* on defense compared to *Israel*'s $24 billion* (*SIPRI*, 2024). - *Middle East* accounts for *40%* of global oil exports (*IEA*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What is Israel's main stated objective in its campaign against Iran?* A. Regime change *B. Stopping Iran's nuclear weapons program* C. Expanding territory D. Economic dominance ### 2. *How much enriched uranium does Iran reportedly possess?* A. 200 kilograms B. 300 kilograms *C. 400 kilograms* D. 500 kilograms ### 3. *Who is the presidential envoy mentioned for walking away from hostage deals?* A. John Kerry *B. Steve Witkoff* C. Tony Blinken D. Jake Sullivan ### 4. *What percentage of uranium enrichment can be achieved in a garage according to the article?* A. 60% B. 80% *C. 90%* D. 95% ### 5. *How many ballistic missiles does Iran reportedly possess?* A. 1,000 B. 1,500 *C. 2,000* D. 2,500 # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Apartheid* (نسلی علیحدگی) – System of racial segregation and discrimination 2. *Attrition* (گھسیٹ کر ختم کرنا) – Gradual wearing down through sustained pressure 3. *Categorical* (قطعی) – Absolute, without conditions or exceptions 4. *Crypto* (خفیہ) – Hidden or secret, often relating to cryptocurrency 5. *Defiant* (سرکش) – Boldly resistant or challenging authority 6. *Ethnic cleansing* (نسلی صفائی) – Systematic removal of ethnic groups 7. *Genocide* (نسل کشی) – Deliberate killing of a large group of people 8. *Logistics* (رسد) – Organization of supplies and services 9. *Manifestation* (ظہور) – Clear evidence or display of something 10. *Nuclear watchdog* (جوہری نگران) – International monitoring organization 11. *Perfunctory* (بے دلی سے) – Done without care or interest 12. *Retaliation* (جوابی کارروائی) – Action taken in response to an attack 13. *Scuppered* (ناکام بنانا) – Deliberately ruined or sabotaged 14. *Tacit* (خاموش) – Understood without being openly expressed 15. *Unilaterally* (یکطرفہ) – Done by one party alone 16. *Arsenal* (اسلحہ خانہ) – Collection of weapons and military equipment 17. *Ballistic* (بیلسٹک) – Related to projectiles and their flight paths 18. *Blockade* (ناکہ بندی) – Sealing off to prevent goods from entering 19. *Cornered* (گھیرا ہوا) – Forced into a difficult position 20. *Envoy* (سفیر) – Diplomatic representative or messenger 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *A catastrophe called Israel* *Abbas Nasir* *6 - 7 minutes* ANY military campaign must have clearly defined objectives, and Israel said its main aim of starting a war with Iran, through its ongoing massive air attacks with tacit backing from US and Western governments, was to stop Tehran's march towards the acquisition of nuclear weapons. It may not have been so openly stated, but one important objective is regime change in Iran in order to try and usher in a regime more like Israel's other Middle Eastern/ regional neighbours, who are happy to be friends with Tel Aviv. That is why they offer only perfunctory condemnation of Israel's ethnic-cleansing of Palestinians not just in Gaza, but also the West Bank. A wider war also helps shift the focus from the worst ethnic cleansing of this century in Gaza by relentless bombing, other military means, and mass starvation. It is the food blockade which was beginning to create a little unease among at least Israel's European allies, who have so far offered unconditional material and diplomatic support to it on Gaza. At least the European allies, I say, because the US administration solidly supports the apartheid state, which is executing the American president's Gaza Riviera Plan. It visualises beachside resorts after the forceful displacement of two million Palestinians to unspecified countries, presumably Muslim. The Gaza genocide has really not been about Israeli hostages taken during the October 2023 atrocity. Ample evidence of this can be found in the conduct of presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, whose family members are crypto business partners with the Trump family. He has walked away twice, if not more times, from deals that could have secured the release or exchange of the remaining hostages in Hamas captivity. Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians remain in Israeli captivity who are no more than hostages. How long can Iran's arsenal of reportedly 2,000 ballistic missiles last? Despite this unconditional support to Israel, President Donald Trump so far seems unprepared to commit US forces in any open confrontation. Over the coming days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts will be directed towards somehow sucking in the US to commit forces into the war with Iran. After the Iranian missile retaliation against the Israeli air campaign, which killed several senior Iranian military commanders, leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and targeted nuclear sites, former Israeli prime minister and military chief Ehud Barak picked off some of these objectives one by one in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour. Ehud Barak was categorical in saying that Israel's air campaign may have 'delayed' by a few weeks Iran's acquisition of a nuclear weapon but, he said, even if the US joined the air campaign, it would delay it by no more than a few months at best. "They have 400 kilograms of 60 per cent enriched uranium and it can be enriched to 90pc in a garage with the right equipment and they will have a crude bomb," he said. Quoting the chief of the IAEA (the internati­o­nal nuclear watchdog), who said that many of Iran's key facilities are "hundreds of yards" und­erground in old mines, etc, Mr Barak maintained these were "out of our reach". "I have no illusions we'll do anything more than damage or hurt them." The former IDF chief said the initial successes of the air campaign, which exceeded expectations, should be used to push through a nuclear deal with Iran, stop the war in Gaza, and go for peace in the wider region, including Saudi Arabia, which would take time and won't be easy but still needs to be done. He said going further for Israel without US logistics support will be difficult, so it should say 'we have done all we could do, now it is up to you'. At a time when Israeli intelligence's targeting of the Iranian military's key leaders is being seen as a manifestation of internal divisions, Ehud Barak also addressed the issue of regime change. Saying it did not appear possible without US ground troops on Iranian soil, he listed wars from Korea to Vietnam to Afghanistan that the US entered but was unable to win: "How did those wars go?" he asked, while doubting that President Trump, or any other US leader or the American public for that matter, would have the appetite to commit US boots to the ground. It is true that in 2018, Trump unilaterally scuppered an Obama-led deal that stopped Iran's nuclear weapons march in exchange for sanctions relief. But the scrapping pushed Tehran back to restarting its enrichment levels closer to weapons grade. So, in a sense, this war hasn't been about Iran's nuclear arms quest but more about getting it to bow to Israeli-US will. Therefore, it is important to see who is eventually likely to get the upper hand in this conflict. With the US and entire Western production, stores and supplies of modern weaponry at its disposal, it would be safe to assume Israel can outlast Iran in a war of attrition. For all practical purposes, Iran has no air force, and its air defence system appears inadequate. How long can its arsenal of reportedly 2,000 ballistic missiles last? What happens beyond that? These are some of the questions that need to be answered. So far, Iran has taken massive hits and yet has been able to remain defiant and retaliate. Can it sustain this in the medium to long term, and will there be any third-party mediation to stop the war? Or, if cornered further, will Iran lash out dire­c­tly at US bases and assets in the region and even nations hosting them in order to expand the conflict as a means of stopping it? The impact of any such eventuality will not only be on millions of lives in the region but also on the global economy. The writer is a former editor of Dawn. The writer is a former editor of Dawn. [email protected] Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2025