How did we get here? The roots of the Iran-Israel Conflict

Historically, Israel's wars were fought against its direct neighbors, and Iran is on the other side of the Arabian peninsula. And Palestinians are Arabs, so the Arab world has historically showed solidarity with them by opposing Israel. But Iranians are Persian, not Arab. Additionally, most of Israel's enemies are Sunni. But Iran is a Shi'a country and the Sunni and Shi'a have been at war for centuries. And lastly, Iran and Israel used to be close allies. So all this begs the question - why does Iran hate Israel so much?

Essential Questions:

1. Why does Iran hate Israel?
2. Why does Iran view Western values and culture as a global threat? 
3. Do the 2025 attacks mark a new chapter in the Iran-Israel conflict—or a continuation of old dynamics?

Big Ideas:

1. Iran views Western values as incompatible with Islamic values
2. Iran’s hatred for Israel is deep, multifaceted, and dangerous