A Path to Resolution in Global Conflicts

In the face of ongoing conflicts such as the one between Iran and Israel, it's hard to ignore the role of external powers, particularly the West, in perpetuating war under the guise of seeking peace. Rather than providing genuine solutions, their involvement often fuels the flames, making it difficult to envision a future where resolution and stability prevail. What if, instead of this continual escalation, the global community turned to a proven model of conflict resolution: the Prisoner’s Dilemma? And what if we applied this model in a multiple sets format, where each 'set' represents a stage of the conflict resolution process, and cooperation is prioritized in each set?

The Prisoner’s Dilemma in game theory shows how two rational actors often choose the latter to avoid personal losses when choosing to cooperate or defect. However, when applied repeatedly in a multi-iteration framework—where trust is built over time and cooperation is rewarded—it becomes clear that collaboration is the optimal strategy. In the context of the Iran-Israel conflict, applying this model could unlock a pathway to peace, moving away from externally funded warfare toward mutual understanding.

The Iran-Israel conflict is a decades-long struggle rooted in political, religious, and territorial disputes. Rather than pushing for dialogue, the West continues to fund military campaigns, arming both sides under the banner of achieving peace through power. This funding not only perpetuates the conflict but also deepens the mistrust between the two parties. The problem with this approach is that it fundamentally ignores the key lesson from the Prisoner’s Dilemma: peace cannot be achieved through force alone. Both parties are locked in a cycle of mistrust, each fearing the betrayal of the other, while external forces exacerbate this fear. The conflict is treated as a zero-sum game—one wins, and one loses.

However, a Multi-set Prisoner’s Dilemma approach would allow both Iran and Israel to slowly rebuild trust, engaging in steps of cooperation that benefit both. By setting up incremental, verifiable agreements on security, economic exchange, and diplomacy, each side would begin to see the value of collaboration. In the long term, a successful outcome isn't achieved through one grand act of goodwill but through small, sustained acts of cooperation that chip away at years of hostility

The West’s role should shift from funding warfare to facilitating dialogues where mutual cooperation can flourish. Funding arms may momentarily balance power, but it perpetuates the cycle of violence. True resolution comes from recognizing that mutual support, not dominance, is the best path forward. Only when both Iran and Israel begin to cooperate—acknowledging that they each stand to benefit—can a genuine resolution emerge.

The multi-set Prisoner's Dilemma in the global political landscape shows us that cooperation is not just idealistic—it’s the most rational and sustainable solution.