It is almost one year since Hamas rampaged across southern Israel on October 7th 2023. At the heart of our cover package this week is a four-part special briefing that looks at how the Middle East has changed since that day. Our coverage examines Israel’s ever-expanding conflict with Iran and its proxies, the surprising detachment of most of the Arab world, the unresolved divisions within Israeli society and the radicalisation of a generation of Palestinians. Kill or be killed is the region’s new logic. But, as our cover leader argues, deterrence and diplomacy would be better. 

It has been a challenging conflict to cover: so much tragedy, so many complexities, so many consequences. Our correspondents in the region, including Anshel Pfeffer, Gregg Carlstrom, Gareth Browne and Nick Pelham, have provided superb insights and analysis, expertly edited by our Middle East editor, Josie Delap. I’ve learned a huge amount from them. I happened to be in Qatar immediately after October 7th last year—and I interviewed a senior Hamas official, Moussa Abu Marzouk, while I was there. A few months ago I was in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza to make a podcast about Gaza’s future. Alas, its depressing conclusions remain as true as ever.