[GK3]

Israel has said they will respond. Hopefully the US gives them a short leash because I certainly agree that a widening conflict would be bad for everyone, Ukraine included.

That said, the hundreds of shaheds used in this attack are less that could go to Russia. And Iran will probably want to keep plenty in reserve for their own needs. And maybe this is more impetus for Johnson to bring the Ukraine/Israel aid bill to the floor, though who knows.

Totally agree. I would hope Israel would give themselves a very short leash and do nothing. They don't have to prove they are "tough". Nobody questions that. Not so for Iran, but they have done what they could. Let us hope both sides will now prove the are not stupid and stand down. As far as Johnson bringing the bill to a vote goes, it would for sure pass. The question is whether he has the moral courage to do it and whether he believes enough Democrats will vote for him as speaker to avoid chaos.

Getting both sides to agree to stand down from further attacks may well be very difficult. I fear that Israel is more likely to launch another attack simply due to who is running their country and we have never shown an absolutely willingness to cut off the money and weapons we provide.  we talk a good game but we don't play like we are serious. I think there is a great chance of a miscalculation by one side or the other.  The fact that Iran and its "allies" launched so many weapons and so few go through may contribute to further miscalculation. How long is Jordan willing to "defend" Israel and how long are the UK and the USA willing to continue to burn through anti missle and drone inventories?  Does Iran have enough drones and cruise type missles to eventually saturate the Israeli defenses?
I think an Israeli attack on targets in Iran proper is probably a bridge too far.  Such an attack would probably trigger an expansion of the war. I don't see how Iran can maintain its standing in the anti Israel world if it allows such attack to go seriously unpunished. I fear our ability or willingness to give Israel a short leash is very weak.
I second your hope that Johnson illustrates the moral courage to do the right thing and bring the bill to a vote. If he does, then I think the Democrats owe him a vote of support if they try and dump him as speaker.  At this point in time there is a brobdingnagian need for the protagonists in the Middle East and our politicians at home to act in the best interests of their countries and the world rather than making their consituencies happy. I just have to say I am not sure that is possible.

This CNN article sums up the mess. A lot depends on whether cooler heads hold sway. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/15/middl...index.html

[GK3]

Israel has said they will respond. Hopefully the US gives them a short leash because I certainly agree that a widening conflict would be bad for everyone, Ukraine included.

That said, the hundreds of shaheds used in this attack are less that could go to Russia. And Iran will probably want to keep plenty in reserve for their own needs. And maybe this is more impetus for Johnson to bring the Ukraine/Israel aid bill to the floor, though who knows.

Totally agree. I would hope Israel would give themselves a very short leash and do nothing. They don't have to prove they are "tough". Nobody questions that. Not so for Iran, but they have done what they could. Let us hope both sides will now prove the are not stupid and stand down. As far as Johnson bringing the bill to a vote goes, it would for sure pass. The question is whether he has the moral courage to do it and whether he believes enough Democrats will vote for him as speaker to avoid chaos.

Getting both sides to agree to stand down from further attacks may well be very difficult. I fear that Israel is more likely to launch another attack simply due to who is running their country and we have never shown an absolutely willingness to cut off the money and weapons we provide.  we talk a good game but we don't play like we are serious. I think there is a great chance of a miscalculation by one side or the other.  The fact that Iran and its "allies" launched so many weapons and so few go through may contribute to further miscalculation. How long is Jordan willing to "defend" Israel and how long are the UK and the USA willing to continue to burn through anti missle and drone inventories?  Does Iran have enough drones and cruise type missles to eventually saturate the Israeli defenses?
I think an Israeli attack on targets in Iran proper is probably a bridge too far.  Such an attack would probably trigger an expansion of the war. I don't see how Iran can maintain its standing in the anti Israel world if it allows such attack to go seriously unpunished. I fear our ability or willingness to give Israel a short leash is very weak.
I second your hope that Johnson illustrates the moral courage to do the right thing and bring the bill to a vote. If he does, then I think the Democrats owe him a vote of support if they try and dump him as speaker.  At this point in time there is a brobdingnagian need for the protagonists in the Middle East and our politicians at home to act in the best interests of their countries and the world rather than making their consituencies happy. I just have to say I am not sure that is possible.

This CNN article sums up the mess. A lot depends on whether cooler heads hold sway. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/15/middl...index.html