Brandon Friedman, Director of Research at the Moshe Dayan Centre for Middle East and African Studies at Tel Aviv University, highlights several key challenges facing Israel in 2025. While the weakening of Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ is seen as a positive development, the outcome of the Gaza conflict and the uncertainty around the ceasefire remain concerns. Lebanon’s new government raises questions about its stability and commitment to the ceasefire terms. Ongoing Houthi attacks on Israel, along with Iran’s nuclear programme, are major security threats. The future of Syria, now under a new government backed by Turkey, also presents risks. At the same time, Tel Aviv expects a more supportive US government under the Trump administration, though concerns persist about potential pressure on Israel-China relations, among other issues.