Netanyahu’s Iran gambit aimed to realign the world behind Israel. It may backfire

Five days after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, this volatile new war shows no signs of winding down. What began with a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, military leaders, and scientists has escalated into a tit-for-tat exchange, with civilians in Israel and Iran bearing the brunt of the damage. 

While Israel has claimed initial tactical victories — establishing aerial dominance and carrying out coordinated operations inside Iranian…