In 2025, the Middle East crossed a threshold - Iran and Israel went to war and Iranian nuclear sites were bombed by the Israelis and the Americans.

Cities once far from the frontlines were no longer insulated from conflict.

At the same time, Gaza’s war ended through a US - backed deal, brokered with Qatari mediation, showing that diplomacy can still work.

So as the region heads into 2026 what do we know about power, influence, and security in the Middle East?

Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem reports.