Israel has the power to dominate, but not to lead the region

Israel has the power to dominate, but not to lead the region Submitted by Hesham Gaafar on Tue, 08/04/2026 - 21:18 Tactical victories in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran have not built up Tel Aviv's hegemony - they have eroded it A fighter loyal to Yemen’s Houthi movement walks over depictions of the Israeli and US flags during a demonstration in Sanaa on 22 July 2026 (Mohammed Huwais/AFP) On Domination, according to philosopher Antonio Gramsci, is the capacity to coerce, to compel obedience through force. Hegemony is leadership secured through consent - an order that feels natural to those who live under it, so minds acquiesce before bodies are made to obey. Domination can prohibit and destroy; it cannot persuade, build or lead.