The article argues that the post-Cold War era of U.S. unipolarity, established by the perceived invincibility demonstrated during the Gulf War, has ended. This decline is driven by globalization and technological diffusion, which have democratized advanced military capabilities, allowing regional actors to challenge major powers. Consequently, policymakers must prepare for a more volatile international order marked by frequent crises, heightened costs for securing global trade chokepoints, and reduced predictability from American power. The new rules dictate that great powers can no longer effortlessly impose their will through force.
The reopening of the Rafah crossing provides some hope for Palestinians, but can it be sustained?
English Summary
Chatham House argues that reopening Rafah is a meaningful but fragile breakthrough: it restores a limited non-Israeli outlet for Gazans, yet remains vulnerable to political, security, and operational reversal. Evidence cited includes very low initial crossing numbers, Israeli pre-clearance and vetting rules, reported harassment, and historical patterns in which security incidents, monitoring bottlenecks, and factional competition repeatedly led to closure or violence. The paper also notes Israeli domestic electoral pressures, far-right opposition, and concerns over smuggling, all of which could undermine implementation of the wider October 2025 ceasefire framework and Gaza reconstruction plans. Strategically, the implication is that external actors should prioritize robust monitoring, transparent crossing governance, and sustained diplomatic pressure to prevent backsliding, while recognizing that continued closure would deepen despair and likely fuel renewed instability.
中文摘要
查塔姆研究所（Chatham House）認為，重啟拉法口岸是一項具意義但脆弱的突破：它為加薩民眾恢復了一條有限、非以色列的對外通道，但仍易因政治、安全與運作因素而逆轉。文中證據包括：初期通行人數極低、以色列的事前核准與審查規定、據報發生的騷擾，以及歷史上安全事件、監測瓶頸與派系競爭一再導致口岸關閉或暴力升高的模式。報告亦指出，以色列國內選舉壓力、極右翼反對與對走私的憂慮，都可能削弱更廣泛的2025年10月停火框架與加薩重建計畫的落實。從戰略上看，其意涵是外部行動方應優先投入強健監測、透明的口岸治理與持續外交施壓，以防止情勢倒退；同時必須認知，若口岸持續關閉，將加深絕望，並很可能助長新一輪不穩定。
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