On October 28, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared declared that Israel had begun the “second stage” of its war against Hamas, comprising ground operations in the Gaza Strip to destroy Hamas and return the hostages Hamas took during the terrorist group’s October 7 attacks on Israel.
Given the Israeli leadership’s commitment to ousting Hamas, Hamas’s years of preparation for the conflict, and the inherent difficulties of urban warfare, the conflict will likely persist for months, rather than weeks, and could expand into a regional conflict involving Lebanon-based Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran, among others. Middle East policymakers are cautioning cautioning ofcials from these and other governments and organizations against rash action. But the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have already launched attacks attacks against Israel.
The war’s likely persistence and possible regionalization pose substantial risks for the Indo-Pacific, including: (1) higher energy prices; (2) economic retaliation against perceived Israel-aligned firms; (3) increased extremism; (4) damaged U.S. leadership; and (5) the unwinding of recent efforts to integrate the Middle East and connect the region to the Indo-Pacific.
Kurt Tong, a former diplomat in Japan who is now a managing partner at the Asia Group, a consultancy, said ...
Scroll to Top
You Are Applying For:
Indo-Pacific Implications of the Israel-Hamas War
Apply Now
Submit the details below, and our HR team member will get in touch with you shortly.
The Asia Group is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law. The Asia Group continually seeks to diversify its staff, particularly to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the strategic advisory profession.
Media
Commentary
Indo-Pacific Implications of the Israel-Hamas War
On October 28, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared declared that Israel had begun the “second stage” of its war against Hamas, comprising ground operations in the Gaza Strip to destroy Hamas and return the hostages Hamas took during the terrorist group’s October 7 attacks on Israel.
Given the Israeli leadership’s commitment to ousting Hamas, Hamas’s years of preparation for the conflict, and the inherent difficulties of urban warfare, the conflict will likely persist for months, rather than weeks, and could expand into a regional conflict involving Lebanon-based Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran, among others. Middle East policymakers are cautioning cautioning ofcials from these and other governments and organizations against rash action. But the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have already launched attacks attacks against Israel.
The war’s likely persistence and possible regionalization pose substantial risks for the Indo-Pacific, including: (1) higher energy prices; (2) economic retaliation against perceived Israel-aligned firms; (3) increased extremism; (4) damaged U.S. leadership; and (5) the unwinding of recent efforts to integrate the Middle East and connect the region to the Indo-Pacific.
Listen on:
Related Posts
The Asia Group Expands Japan Advisory Capabilities with New Trade, Energy, Finance, and Geopolitical Expertise
George Chen in Reuters on Xi’s Keynote Speech at 2026 World AI Conference
Han Lin in the AFP on China’s Approval of Shein’s Hong Kong Listing
Kurt Tong in The New York Times on Japanese Investment into the United States Under Trump