An act of war. I’ll just bet you didn’t see or hear those words in any coverage over the weekend of Iran’s aggression from the air on Israel. What else can we call 120 ballistic missiles; 170 armed drones; 30 cruise missiles? That’s what Iran fired at Israel Saturday night. One report I read said the barrage was fired from three countries in addition to Iran: Iraq, Yemen and Syria. How would you feel if you were walking down the street on Saturday night in Chicago or Indianapolis or Phoenix or Seattle, and suddenly you began to hear the sound of explosions, and you looked up and saw streaks of flaming debris from exploded missiles falling to the ground? Would it feel like you were witnessing a war on the city where you live, on your country?
Let’s not forget that Israel’s bombing of Iran’s embassy in Syria was an act of war as well. Needs to also be counted in the endless, stupid game called “tit for tat”
Iran gave advance warning to Israel so they were prepared. It was, as you said, a great accomplishment. Israel’s attacked the embassy of a sovereign nation against international protocol and without advance notice to the US. I hope they stop doing stupid things. If they do, we need to stop funding the Zionists, stop foreign aid, and stop supplying munitions.
I think you missed the mark, here. As Michele and Peter note below, Netanyahu and Israel fired the first round, targeting an Iranian embassy. Targeting a foreign embassy is a brazen act (of war).
Thereafter, two weeks passed before Iran took action. Was Iran's action unexpected? No. It was completely anticipated. The world knew the Iranian mullahs would need to "save face" and protect their power by a taking a retributive act.
But during that two week period, I am willing to bet that there was a concerted effort among world leaders (led by President Biden) to find a way to allow Iran save face and thereafter deescalate the situation.
I'm guessing here, but the fact that 99% of the missiles and drones did not hit their intended target, leads me to believe that the Iranian missile/drone barrage was an orchestrated event. It allowed the mullahs to claim it followed through on its threat while also signaling, publicly, they would take no further action unless Israel further escalates. At the same time, it also gave all sides the opportunity to assess their weapon systems in the event a real war were to break out.
However, I believe neither Israel not Iran want an all out war. They both understand such a battle would have catastrophic consequences for their people.
Thank you Lucien. This is a view few have broken down so clearly with the eyes of both a reporter and West Point alumnus. You’ve described vividly what played out the night of that assault on Israel in terms of both the weapon systems and coordinated strategy that shielded a population - perhaps never so throughly before in history of modern warfare.
Any familiarity of how strategically critical this region is to every economic power in the world makes the ferocity of that defense unsurprising. You show the chess board where the pieces are interconnected in the business of power, defense of interest if not territory and hegemony. Because it’s more than an internecine conflict between religious factions or philosophy; democratic (albeit wounded by corruption and influence) government versus theocracies dressed as facsimiles of such, but about oil.
As long as oil is driving industry, commerce and necessities of daily life that keep society comfortable- we will continue to defend as the knights do the king and queen - both of which here are oil.
have you lost your mind? Usually you can be relied on to see through the propaganda and games....Have you forgotten that hundreds of Palestinians are MURDERED by ISRAEL every day????
Have you forgotten that Israel attacked the Iranian embassy? Have you forgotten that Netanyahu wants a wider war to keep USA $$$$ flowing to his #terrorist regime. I am so disappointed in your lack of honesty or are you just another shill for the war machine.?
Did Bibi and the IDF think that Iran would not retaliate for the bombing of their embassy ??Two barbarians were killed and now Israel and the world are in danger . Insanity prevails.
Do you know what wasn’t referred to as war crimes? The terror attack on October 7. Which involves atrocities beyond belief, including rape, beheadings, burning alive. It would’ve been very helpful if it was immediately called out for what it was, many lives could’ve been saved if on October 8, the world demanded the hostages be returned, and held Hamas to account. That didn’t happen.
Sure, it's an act of war — but no more than the act of war when Israel first bombed the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1st, violating diplomatic immunity and international law, flouting its impunity. Maybe Israel wouldn't have to contend with the likes of Hamas or Hezbollah at all, had it not built dozens of illegal settlements throughout the West Bank, and blockaded Gaza? What if Israel had actually wanted peace and returned to the 1967 Green Line — borders that already granted Israel a lot more of historic Palestine than originally envisioned in the 1947 UN Partition vote, which it has often reminded the world of, as proof of its legitimacy? It's obvious to any student of colonial 19th and 20th century history that Israel is a settler colonial state, which practices apartheid against Palestinians throughout what used to be called Palestine. To the Palestinians, it's not the Israel Defense Forces, but the IOF—Israel Occupation Forces. You need to put yourselves in Palestinian shoes, as do the Irish, who lived under a brutal British occupation for hundreds of years. No wonder the Irish support Palestinian autonomy, human rights and freedom. No wonder millions of us do. If Israel wants peace, it will have to end its imperial ambitions and forget about conquering and colonizing the West Bank and Gaza. But it may be too late. The DNA of Israel is already set in stone. It seems more likely, alas, that the entire project will implode and that the region will continue to convulse in violence for another 10 to 20 years. What a shame. It doesn't have to be this way.
wow so much passion in some of the comments. cool hearts solve problems hot hearts generate them. iran has to accept the reality of a jewish state. if they do then perhaps there will be peace however the doctrine they hold presupposes the death of israel and all the israelis. as long as that is the narrative going forward we will not see peace. yes, the government of netanyahu has to go that's for sure. i don't think that the iranian people or the israeli people want war. it's easy to make a quarter turn away from the "tit for tat" it just requires political will and humility and the recognition of our humanity.
This is certainly an emotional discussion. Certain people insist on defending the Zionists. I cannot. Bibi knows more about our political system than most of our congressmen in both parties who obtain monies in various ways from Israel. I will reiterate, if the Zionists retaliate against Iran [who warned the Israelis in advance], we need to stop the flow of money to Israel, stop the Israeli apartheid policies, and stop the munitions we provide. Israel is losing face in world public opinion. They wear big girl panties and they need to fight their own wars. In response to another question, pilots and other aviators are far safer than infantrymen on the ground. The reality is, Israel's military power is far superior to Hamas and other Arab countries. They do not need us. They have 400 nukes. Cut them off. These are my personal views as are the views of those whose views that differ from mine. We have no need for pontificating hawks. We need to stop beating a dead horse.
I see we have the usual suspects on here launching the usual fact-free "apartheid," "open air prison," "Israel's lobby bought Congress" smears, probably the "genocide" smear as well.
That "open air prison" supposedly characterizing the Gaza Strip is especially weird - Hamas has run Gaza since their coup in 2006-2007! It's as if every last item in their terrorist campaign to murder and torture their internal opposition, steal humanitarian aid to build hundreds of miles of tunnels underneath all manner of civilian infrastructure, launch unguided missiles, mortars and drones at Israeli civilians - means exactly NOTHING to the people posting this drivel!
They also single out AIPAC for their legal campaign contributions, with no mention of the contributions given by the "pro-Palestinian" legal contributors, as if there is something sinister about either group donating to support candidates with whom they agree!
Let’s not forget that Israel’s bombing of Iran’s embassy in Syria was an act of war as well. Needs to also be counted in the endless, stupid game called “tit for tat”
Iran gave advance warning to Israel so they were prepared. It was, as you said, a great accomplishment. Israel’s attacked the embassy of a sovereign nation against international protocol and without advance notice to the US. I hope they stop doing stupid things. If they do, we need to stop funding the Zionists, stop foreign aid, and stop supplying munitions.
Lucian,
I think you missed the mark, here. As Michele and Peter note below, Netanyahu and Israel fired the first round, targeting an Iranian embassy. Targeting a foreign embassy is a brazen act (of war).
Thereafter, two weeks passed before Iran took action. Was Iran's action unexpected? No. It was completely anticipated. The world knew the Iranian mullahs would need to "save face" and protect their power by a taking a retributive act.
But during that two week period, I am willing to bet that there was a concerted effort among world leaders (led by President Biden) to find a way to allow Iran save face and thereafter deescalate the situation.
I'm guessing here, but the fact that 99% of the missiles and drones did not hit their intended target, leads me to believe that the Iranian missile/drone barrage was an orchestrated event. It allowed the mullahs to claim it followed through on its threat while also signaling, publicly, they would take no further action unless Israel further escalates. At the same time, it also gave all sides the opportunity to assess their weapon systems in the event a real war were to break out.
However, I believe neither Israel not Iran want an all out war. They both understand such a battle would have catastrophic consequences for their people.
“Coalition of the malevolent” which includes the right wing nationalists here as well as the usual international suspects. This is so frightening.
Hamas got exactly what it wanted. A whole generation of Palestinians now hate Israel with the passion of a thousand suns. It will never end.
Thank you Lucien. This is a view few have broken down so clearly with the eyes of both a reporter and West Point alumnus. You’ve described vividly what played out the night of that assault on Israel in terms of both the weapon systems and coordinated strategy that shielded a population - perhaps never so throughly before in history of modern warfare.
Any familiarity of how strategically critical this region is to every economic power in the world makes the ferocity of that defense unsurprising. You show the chess board where the pieces are interconnected in the business of power, defense of interest if not territory and hegemony. Because it’s more than an internecine conflict between religious factions or philosophy; democratic (albeit wounded by corruption and influence) government versus theocracies dressed as facsimiles of such, but about oil.
As long as oil is driving industry, commerce and necessities of daily life that keep society comfortable- we will continue to defend as the knights do the king and queen - both of which here are oil.
have you lost your mind? Usually you can be relied on to see through the propaganda and games....Have you forgotten that hundreds of Palestinians are MURDERED by ISRAEL every day????
Have you forgotten that Israel attacked the Iranian embassy? Have you forgotten that Netanyahu wants a wider war to keep USA $$$$ flowing to his #terrorist regime. I am so disappointed in your lack of honesty or are you just another shill for the war machine.?
Did Bibi and the IDF think that Iran would not retaliate for the bombing of their embassy ??Two barbarians were killed and now Israel and the world are in danger . Insanity prevails.
Do you know what wasn’t referred to as war crimes? The terror attack on October 7. Which involves atrocities beyond belief, including rape, beheadings, burning alive. It would’ve been very helpful if it was immediately called out for what it was, many lives could’ve been saved if on October 8, the world demanded the hostages be returned, and held Hamas to account. That didn’t happen.
Sure, it's an act of war — but no more than the act of war when Israel first bombed the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1st, violating diplomatic immunity and international law, flouting its impunity. Maybe Israel wouldn't have to contend with the likes of Hamas or Hezbollah at all, had it not built dozens of illegal settlements throughout the West Bank, and blockaded Gaza? What if Israel had actually wanted peace and returned to the 1967 Green Line — borders that already granted Israel a lot more of historic Palestine than originally envisioned in the 1947 UN Partition vote, which it has often reminded the world of, as proof of its legitimacy? It's obvious to any student of colonial 19th and 20th century history that Israel is a settler colonial state, which practices apartheid against Palestinians throughout what used to be called Palestine. To the Palestinians, it's not the Israel Defense Forces, but the IOF—Israel Occupation Forces. You need to put yourselves in Palestinian shoes, as do the Irish, who lived under a brutal British occupation for hundreds of years. No wonder the Irish support Palestinian autonomy, human rights and freedom. No wonder millions of us do. If Israel wants peace, it will have to end its imperial ambitions and forget about conquering and colonizing the West Bank and Gaza. But it may be too late. The DNA of Israel is already set in stone. It seems more likely, alas, that the entire project will implode and that the region will continue to convulse in violence for another 10 to 20 years. What a shame. It doesn't have to be this way.
wow so much passion in some of the comments. cool hearts solve problems hot hearts generate them. iran has to accept the reality of a jewish state. if they do then perhaps there will be peace however the doctrine they hold presupposes the death of israel and all the israelis. as long as that is the narrative going forward we will not see peace. yes, the government of netanyahu has to go that's for sure. i don't think that the iranian people or the israeli people want war. it's easy to make a quarter turn away from the "tit for tat" it just requires political will and humility and the recognition of our humanity.
Trump tore up the treaty with Iran to please Netanyahu.
Iran has every right to launch attacks on Israel.
Why does Israel have 200 nuclear weapons?
Another incisive article, thanks, Lucian.
This is certainly an emotional discussion. Certain people insist on defending the Zionists. I cannot. Bibi knows more about our political system than most of our congressmen in both parties who obtain monies in various ways from Israel. I will reiterate, if the Zionists retaliate against Iran [who warned the Israelis in advance], we need to stop the flow of money to Israel, stop the Israeli apartheid policies, and stop the munitions we provide. Israel is losing face in world public opinion. They wear big girl panties and they need to fight their own wars. In response to another question, pilots and other aviators are far safer than infantrymen on the ground. The reality is, Israel's military power is far superior to Hamas and other Arab countries. They do not need us. They have 400 nukes. Cut them off. These are my personal views as are the views of those whose views that differ from mine. We have no need for pontificating hawks. We need to stop beating a dead horse.
Too busy packing to read this post today. I’ll respond tomorrow after l read it in Toronto. Sure hope it will be an uneventful night!
I see we have the usual suspects on here launching the usual fact-free "apartheid," "open air prison," "Israel's lobby bought Congress" smears, probably the "genocide" smear as well.
https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/allegation-israel-apartheid-state
https://www.danielpipes.org/22223/my-six-step-plan-for-a-two-state-solution?utm_source=Middle+East+Forum&utm_campaign=7fdcf49781-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_04_04_12_38&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_086cfd423c-7fdcf49781-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&goal=0_086cfd423c-7fdcf49781-33654329&mc_cid=7fdcf49781&mc_eid=e9890ace88
That "open air prison" supposedly characterizing the Gaza Strip is especially weird - Hamas has run Gaza since their coup in 2006-2007! It's as if every last item in their terrorist campaign to murder and torture their internal opposition, steal humanitarian aid to build hundreds of miles of tunnels underneath all manner of civilian infrastructure, launch unguided missiles, mortars and drones at Israeli civilians - means exactly NOTHING to the people posting this drivel!
They also single out AIPAC for their legal campaign contributions, with no mention of the contributions given by the "pro-Palestinian" legal contributors, as if there is something sinister about either group donating to support candidates with whom they agree!