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Further regional conflict could bring chaos—and opportunities
Catch up on global daily news
Compelling long reads
Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation
Tune into captivating conversations
Watch engaging short films

How far could each side escalate?

Gulf states could join the conflict

Even if, at the political level, its direction is a mess

America wagers on collapse; the regime on endurance

Shashank Joshi, our defence editor, asks how long the escalation in Iran can last

Their best hope may be an interim deal that buys time for more talks