Running the Executive Branch of our government has elements of managing a very complicated, high risk company. Sal noted "Biden brought in Obama’s B-team with all their unfulfilled bag of bad ideas which in a few short years begat ISIS and Iranian proxies joining together in renewed strength in Syria and Iraq enough to attack US bases in Jordan, Syria, and Iraq." I would point out that Class A managers hire Class A people. Class B managers hire Class C people.
My first reaction was that the whole event appeared to be choreographed to allow Iran to save a minimal amount of dignity but do no damage to Israel and then to not having Israel strike back, which they obviously would do and could possibly still do.
You remember how we reacted when Iranian agents blew up the US embassy in Beirut? That was few years after the Iranians invaded the US embassy in Tehran, which is a direct attack on the US. And the a few years later Iranian agents blew up the US Embassy in Kuwait? And then Iranian agents blew up the embassy annex in Beirut?
Now we will possibly see how good Iran's anti missile systems work. I understand the entire government has left Tehran and moved all their SAM to the city.
I would add the administration's energy policies to its ongoing list of failures that enabled Iran. Their Green New Deal should really be called Make Iran Rich Again as it allowed Iran to subsidize HAMAS, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
Under Trump, America became a net exporter of energy. Upon taking office, Biden reversed every Trump policy and the price of gas skyrocketed. The price receded only by tapping into the SPR and by making deals with Venezuela.
Biden inherited a bitterly divided nation. Instead of trying to heal those divisions by appealing to what we have in common he unleashed the DOJ upon his opponents. It's very hard to understand why people who took selfies of themselves on 1/6 are being hounded by the FBI whereas other people who burned, looted and murdered are regarded as paragons of virtue. It's harder to understand why a former VP who kept classified materials in his Corvette is given a pass whereas a former president who kept classified documents in his secure mansion is on trial.
I know what you mean, Pete, when you say "hard to understand". But it isn't hard. It's simple. Either stupidity or a malign intent is involved. Probably both.
The U.S. is now producing more oil than at any time in history, more than any nation on Earth and more than at any time under Trump. We are also producing nore natural gas than any time previously and are the largest LNG exporter on Earth, especially important to Europe.
And we produce more than we consume (what most refer to as energy independence).
Biden also approved more oil and gas drilling on federal lands than Trump in the last three years, 50% more.
The price of oil has been gyrating because of pandemic and war but largely now because Russia and our "friends" the Saudis are conspiring to reduce exports and raise the price
Is that why gas went from $2 to $5 under Biden? For the first time in history the Russians and Saudis played games with production and pricing? You really need to stop spitting out DNC talking points.
Yes, it is, pandemic, war and collusion are the reason. But it's not at all for the first time in history. Saudi/Russia co-operation began 10 years ago when they wanted to flood the market to depress the price and put our frackers out of business. And it has nothing to do with anyone's talking points, just facts.
Facts are facts and have the meritorious quality of being immutable and verifiable whether they fit your political narritive or not. It is your vision that is shaded by politics, as reflected in your original statement.
I disagree with item #1. I think the objective was not to swamp Israeli defenses. If so, it would have ben a real surprise TOT hit. It was not a surprise, I was telegraphed far enough in advance so everything could be brought online. Iran told Turkey and others what was going to go down to ensure no surprise. Enough warning for no mass casualties or mass damage. It was a way for Iran to save some face.
I think it was also a way from Iran to gain some intel of what the air defense system was capable of. Some Ballistic Missiles got through to one of the air bases. Did that help the Iranians understand what worked and what didn't? Conversely, did this strike help Israel understand what Arrow and Davids sling can do? Did it help USN understand what SM-3 can do?
But I think you are spot on with the rest of the points.
Disagreement with item 1 and agreement with the others was my first instinct, too.
Then I considered it a little more and ran up against a problem. Let's assume two worlds.
In world A, Iran was intending a strike just limited enough to prevent escalation, but represent the minimum strength of response necessary after Israel's bombing of their embassy. So they accurately assessed Israel's air defense capabilities and launched a strike that would be 98% deflected or mitigated, then publicly announced the issue resolved.
In world B, Iran wanted to inflict massive retaliation against Israel after the bombing of their embassy, and launched a strike that represented the strongest possible movement of force towards their targets, but 98% of the launch was shoot down by IDF, US and allies, and them Tehran said something about the situation being resolved to their satisfaction because they had no further options.
How do I determine if I'm living in world A or world B?
Consider World C? Iran’s attack in the early morning hours of Sunday was symbolic retaliation. The mullahs and IRGC commanders put Israel on notice that any further attacks on Iran, especially Iranian territory, will be answered by Iranian attacks on Israel. Iran demonstrated a remarkably sophisticated attack using three different weapon systems — drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. They did not use their most advanced, sophisticated weaponry.
The drones were used in the same way that pawns are employed in a chess match — draw out the opponent and create vulnerabilities. Israel used up over 700 Iron Dome missiles in countering Iran’s 300 plus drones. Why? You normally fire two Iron Dome missiles per target to ensure a hit. Ditto for the cruise missiles.
What we know for a fact is that most of the ballistic missiles hit their targets in Israel. Iran demonstrated a remarkably sophisticated capability as seen in the video of the AB attack... a maneuverable warhead: https://youtu.be/8VuCuHlNpM4 . The inbound Iranian missile evades the Israeli interceptor and strikes the target. Nothing is said about the strikes that hit Israeli intelligence command centers on Mt Hermon and Tel Aviv (all targets were instrumental in the April 1 attack).
The U.S. has an advanced AN/TPY-2 X-band radar stationed at Har Qeren, in the Negev desert. Its mission is to detect Iranian missile launches, and pass targeting data to Israeli Arrow and David’s Sling and U.S. THAAD ABM batteries deployed to protect sensitive Israeli sites, including Dimona and the Nevatim and Ramon air bases.
Sal, the mission has certainly matured since those very nascent capabilities we put to sea in LAKE ERIE and first demonstrated in January 2002. Not only did our Sailors and industrial partners blaze a trail but it was done much to the chagrin, at times, of legacy naval thinking and with significant headwinds. The work is not nearly complete as this is merely the vanguard of the future where navy’s battlespace is outer space! Sail Safe and Good Hunting Yall!
No excuse and no apology. I was fortunate to graduate from U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with both a Mate’s license and some limited time on commercial merchant ships. Putting to sea is unforgiving, even more so in the naval profession — I was incredibly blessed in my career to serve with some amazing talent in architecting and evolving a legacy, naval mission to combat a modern adversary’s approach to combat at sea. Today, especially, one must have the temerity to suffer neither lassitude nor complacency while knowing your adversary is legion and constantly evolving!
I have been reading you since close to the beginning, and this is the best analysis you have done. Clear and concise, no BS. I just don't think folks realize how bad a shape we are in. This should be a wake-up call, but it won't be.
From a recent Reuters report: "ANKARA, April 14 (Reuters) - Iran informed Turkey in advance of its planned operation against Israel, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters on Sunday, adding that Washington had conveyed to Tehran via Ankara that any action it took had to be "within certain limits"."
If this report is accurate, our natl sec team participated in a "wag the dog" event with an avowed enemy of the US. We permitted the enemy to attack a sovereign nation and ally, so long as it didn't go over some unidentified red line, whatver that could possible be.
Color me cynical, but I don't see this ending any time soon ... or well.
BTW, BZ to the AW team. But, how much of the Standard Missile stockpile did we expend in this attack, and over the last few months. Repleneshment plan?
Did Israeli leadership know of this? And how do you seel this to the Israeli population. I'm not sure Israeli citizens appreciate that we foiled what appears to be a scripted attack.
With the caveat that nothing this soon after an event is guaranteed accurate, the figures I have seen hold the Iranian attack costing $30-$50 million and the NATO defense misses shot cost approximately 1.3 billion.
Between (among?) Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Gaza, the Western arsenal is being nibbled to death by ducks.
specifically, in a number of theaters, we are expending the annual production of high tech munitions, and doing it simultaneously.
The ammo bunker and the SPR will both soon be empty.
I hope that behind the scenes, Jordan allowed IAF F-35's into its airspace as sensor platforms, and F15 or F16s to prosecute the UAVs with guns, not AMRAMs.
We have satellites than can read license plates. Shouldn't be a problem to take them out and the garages where they are repaired and the gas stations where they fill up and the homes of the drivers.
The Iranians did close Tehran FIR ahead of the attack, which in turn triggered the Iraqis to quickly close Baghdad FIR.
The Iranians had no choice, because they had to move the "aluminum atmospheric river" that is the Gulf air traffic on the great circle that travels north and south above the Tigris and Euphrates out of the way before they could launch their strike...
Not many realize this benefited the rug merchants. They netted a sweet 7 figure plus bump in overflight fees as much of the traffic shifted east through Mashad FIR...
Wait, which ones are the "rug merchants," the Iranians or the Iraqis?
Genuine question. My dad used to tell me stories of the 1967 war that involved artillery batteries on opposite sides of the suez canal pausing fire to allow cargo ships to pass buy. I don't assume any side of the current conflict would put ancient blood fueds ahead of business deals.
"Wait, which ones are the "rug merchants," the Iranians or the Iraqis?"
The Iranians...
The Iraqis lost some serious money when they couldnt accept traffic.
I will submit the US has been too conditioned to being able to conduct war unfettered below FL250 after all the years of how that got done in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Been "ankle biting" for years about it. Now I would think its dawning on everybody that it wont work anymore. Especially in the aviation crossroads of the planet.
What scares me the most is the conjunction of the airways G183 and UB411, along with L550, which essentially meet just south of Israel over the Gulf of Aqaba...
Much like Steel City, I too thought initially that it was a more expansive version of firing rockets into the desert like they did after Soleimani. Now I'm leaning more towards a testing of air defenses to see if the low level intercept capabilities would be as poor as it was during the attacks on the Khurais and Abqaiq refineries in Saudi Arabia.
Something about pushing with a bayonet until you hit resistance.
So important thing I’m observing. Iran demonstrated that they have the will (intent) and the capability to strike Israel. They have likely calculated that they are all in and that all their proxies will attack also. Israel understand that based on this new calculus, Israel is now facing an “existential threat”. That is to say, Israel will take extraordinary measures now to decapitate Iranian leadership, destroy Iranian missile manufacturing complexes and industry including oil production and will likely, yes very likely, use nuclear weapons to destroy Iranian nuclear weapons facilities. It’s a whole new game folks.
"We remember everything but learn nothing." Most of America remembers nothing because they weren't paying enough attention for the sight, sound or printed word to make an impression. What was never learned can't be remembered.
If one's attention span is confined to content that is consumed in great quantity and brevity, I would imagine one would be filling their minds with a lot of "empty calories" and not content that you to bear down mentally to get through. The kind of material content that leads someone to put down what they're reading in order to let it soak in... let alone attempt to weave in circumstances of current events that are relavent and were very long in gestation.
Bullshit.
Thanks for the VAQ shoutout! Folks are finally recognizing the necessity of controlling the EMS.
Great succinct summary of the tactical, operational, and strategic environment. the bang box should read "we're in trouble" in bold 36 font
Running the Executive Branch of our government has elements of managing a very complicated, high risk company. Sal noted "Biden brought in Obama’s B-team with all their unfulfilled bag of bad ideas which in a few short years begat ISIS and Iranian proxies joining together in renewed strength in Syria and Iraq enough to attack US bases in Jordan, Syria, and Iraq." I would point out that Class A managers hire Class A people. Class B managers hire Class C people.
But … but …. but ….. he said “Don’t “ forcefully 🤗
And will say it again if he remembers to.
My first reaction was that the whole event appeared to be choreographed to allow Iran to save a minimal amount of dignity but do no damage to Israel and then to not having Israel strike back, which they obviously would do and could possibly still do.
Agreed. Iran was more restrained than I'd be if my embassy were bombed.
Still, amazing showing by IDF, US and allies in air and space. BZ all around
You remember how we reacted when Iranian agents blew up the US embassy in Beirut? That was few years after the Iranians invaded the US embassy in Tehran, which is a direct attack on the US. And the a few years later Iranian agents blew up the US Embassy in Kuwait? And then Iranian agents blew up the embassy annex in Beirut?
Now we will possibly see how good Iran's anti missile systems work. I understand the entire government has left Tehran and moved all their SAM to the city.
Superb
Excellent summary by CDR Sal.
I would add the administration's energy policies to its ongoing list of failures that enabled Iran. Their Green New Deal should really be called Make Iran Rich Again as it allowed Iran to subsidize HAMAS, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
Under Trump, America became a net exporter of energy. Upon taking office, Biden reversed every Trump policy and the price of gas skyrocketed. The price receded only by tapping into the SPR and by making deals with Venezuela.
But that's not the worst of it.
Biden inherited a bitterly divided nation. Instead of trying to heal those divisions by appealing to what we have in common he unleashed the DOJ upon his opponents. It's very hard to understand why people who took selfies of themselves on 1/6 are being hounded by the FBI whereas other people who burned, looted and murdered are regarded as paragons of virtue. It's harder to understand why a former VP who kept classified materials in his Corvette is given a pass whereas a former president who kept classified documents in his secure mansion is on trial.
And then there are the vaccine and DEI policies.
What did Lincoln say about a house divided?
Our enemies laugh at us.
I know what you mean, Pete, when you say "hard to understand". But it isn't hard. It's simple. Either stupidity or a malign intent is involved. Probably both.
I should have said incomprehensible not hard to understand.
And Biden NEver had authority to rénove or hold the docs
Biden never had the means to afford a corvette and three houses given his income as a senator which begs the question where did he get the money.
And the green energy boondoggle puts us in thrall to the CCP
A few facts:
The U.S. is now producing more oil than at any time in history, more than any nation on Earth and more than at any time under Trump. We are also producing nore natural gas than any time previously and are the largest LNG exporter on Earth, especially important to Europe.
And we produce more than we consume (what most refer to as energy independence).
Biden also approved more oil and gas drilling on federal lands than Trump in the last three years, 50% more.
The price of oil has been gyrating because of pandemic and war but largely now because Russia and our "friends" the Saudis are conspiring to reduce exports and raise the price
Is that why gas went from $2 to $5 under Biden? For the first time in history the Russians and Saudis played games with production and pricing? You really need to stop spitting out DNC talking points.
Yes, it is, pandemic, war and collusion are the reason. But it's not at all for the first time in history. Saudi/Russia co-operation began 10 years ago when they wanted to flood the market to depress the price and put our frackers out of business. And it has nothing to do with anyone's talking points, just facts.
Sure it's about your taking points to provide cover for Biden's stupid green energy policies.
Next Biden will tell us he cut the deficit. Oh wait. He already did that.
You really should join the Paul Krugman chatroom. The far-left Nobel Laureate assures us that we are living in the best of economic times.
Facts are facts and have the meritorious quality of being immutable and verifiable whether they fit your political narritive or not. It is your vision that is shaded by politics, as reflected in your original statement.
Facts that gas prices exploded under Biden and he fixed his mistake by draining the SPR. No amount of your spin will change those facts.
I disagree with item #1. I think the objective was not to swamp Israeli defenses. If so, it would have ben a real surprise TOT hit. It was not a surprise, I was telegraphed far enough in advance so everything could be brought online. Iran told Turkey and others what was going to go down to ensure no surprise. Enough warning for no mass casualties or mass damage. It was a way for Iran to save some face.
I think it was also a way from Iran to gain some intel of what the air defense system was capable of. Some Ballistic Missiles got through to one of the air bases. Did that help the Iranians understand what worked and what didn't? Conversely, did this strike help Israel understand what Arrow and Davids sling can do? Did it help USN understand what SM-3 can do?
But I think you are spot on with the rest of the points.
Agree. Nothing was "swamped". If the whole show arrived TOT, that would've been a more instructive MissileEx.
Well, as the entire drone volley was apparently shot down before it crossed the Israeli border that was kind of hard.
Disagreement with item 1 and agreement with the others was my first instinct, too.
Then I considered it a little more and ran up against a problem. Let's assume two worlds.
In world A, Iran was intending a strike just limited enough to prevent escalation, but represent the minimum strength of response necessary after Israel's bombing of their embassy. So they accurately assessed Israel's air defense capabilities and launched a strike that would be 98% deflected or mitigated, then publicly announced the issue resolved.
In world B, Iran wanted to inflict massive retaliation against Israel after the bombing of their embassy, and launched a strike that represented the strongest possible movement of force towards their targets, but 98% of the launch was shoot down by IDF, US and allies, and them Tehran said something about the situation being resolved to their satisfaction because they had no further options.
How do I determine if I'm living in world A or world B?
Consider World C? Iran’s attack in the early morning hours of Sunday was symbolic retaliation. The mullahs and IRGC commanders put Israel on notice that any further attacks on Iran, especially Iranian territory, will be answered by Iranian attacks on Israel. Iran demonstrated a remarkably sophisticated attack using three different weapon systems — drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. They did not use their most advanced, sophisticated weaponry.
The drones were used in the same way that pawns are employed in a chess match — draw out the opponent and create vulnerabilities. Israel used up over 700 Iron Dome missiles in countering Iran’s 300 plus drones. Why? You normally fire two Iron Dome missiles per target to ensure a hit. Ditto for the cruise missiles.
What we know for a fact is that most of the ballistic missiles hit their targets in Israel. Iran demonstrated a remarkably sophisticated capability as seen in the video of the AB attack... a maneuverable warhead: https://youtu.be/8VuCuHlNpM4 . The inbound Iranian missile evades the Israeli interceptor and strikes the target. Nothing is said about the strikes that hit Israeli intelligence command centers on Mt Hermon and Tel Aviv (all targets were instrumental in the April 1 attack).
The U.S. has an advanced AN/TPY-2 X-band radar stationed at Har Qeren, in the Negev desert. Its mission is to detect Iranian missile launches, and pass targeting data to Israeli Arrow and David’s Sling and U.S. THAAD ABM batteries deployed to protect sensitive Israeli sites, including Dimona and the Nevatim and Ramon air bases.
Compare this strike to Iran's retaliatory strike when Trump assassinated Gen Suleimani; both were telegraphed, both attacks were against military targets, both attacks caused minimal loss of life if any, both attacks used "old" technology, and both sent a clear message. https://sonar21.com/despite-western-insistence-that-iran-failed-iran-did-what-it-planned-to-do-in-israel/
Sal, the mission has certainly matured since those very nascent capabilities we put to sea in LAKE ERIE and first demonstrated in January 2002. Not only did our Sailors and industrial partners blaze a trail but it was done much to the chagrin, at times, of legacy naval thinking and with significant headwinds. The work is not nearly complete as this is merely the vanguard of the future where navy’s battlespace is outer space! Sail Safe and Good Hunting Yall!
"The work is not nearly complete as this is merely the vanguard of the future where navy’s battlespace is outer space! "
As long as such mundane skills like navigating around your homeport isn't chucked aside as not cool and sexy enough to bother with...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_USS_Port_Royal_grounding#/media/File:US_Navy_090207-N-0000X-007_The_Pearl_Harbor-based_guided-missile_cruiser_USS_Port_Royal_(CG_73)_takes_a_starboard_list_as_the_USNS_Salvor_(T-ARS_52)_tries_to_free_the_ship_after_it_ran_aground_Feb._5_about_a_half-mile_south_of.jpg
Sid,
No excuse and no apology. I was fortunate to graduate from U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with both a Mate’s license and some limited time on commercial merchant ships. Putting to sea is unforgiving, even more so in the naval profession — I was incredibly blessed in my career to serve with some amazing talent in architecting and evolving a legacy, naval mission to combat a modern adversary’s approach to combat at sea. Today, especially, one must have the temerity to suffer neither lassitude nor complacency while knowing your adversary is legion and constantly evolving!
I have been reading you since close to the beginning, and this is the best analysis you have done. Clear and concise, no BS. I just don't think folks realize how bad a shape we are in. This should be a wake-up call, but it won't be.
From a recent Reuters report: "ANKARA, April 14 (Reuters) - Iran informed Turkey in advance of its planned operation against Israel, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters on Sunday, adding that Washington had conveyed to Tehran via Ankara that any action it took had to be "within certain limits"."
If this report is accurate, our natl sec team participated in a "wag the dog" event with an avowed enemy of the US. We permitted the enemy to attack a sovereign nation and ally, so long as it didn't go over some unidentified red line, whatver that could possible be.
Color me cynical, but I don't see this ending any time soon ... or well.
BTW, BZ to the AW team. But, how much of the Standard Missile stockpile did we expend in this attack, and over the last few months. Repleneshment plan?
Did Israeli leadership know of this? And how do you seel this to the Israeli population. I'm not sure Israeli citizens appreciate that we foiled what appears to be a scripted attack.
Does anyone know if Ambassador Glaspie has retired to Ankara?
With the caveat that nothing this soon after an event is guaranteed accurate, the figures I have seen hold the Iranian attack costing $30-$50 million and the NATO defense misses shot cost approximately 1.3 billion.
Between (among?) Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Gaza, the Western arsenal is being nibbled to death by ducks.
specifically, in a number of theaters, we are expending the annual production of high tech munitions, and doing it simultaneously.
The ammo bunker and the SPR will both soon be empty.
I hope that behind the scenes, Jordan allowed IAF F-35's into its airspace as sensor platforms, and F15 or F16s to prosecute the UAVs with guns, not AMRAMs.
Good point. It is not enough to intercept missiles and drones. The bases they emerge from should be leveled.
the drones launch from the back of trucks in open fields
We have satellites than can read license plates. Shouldn't be a problem to take them out and the garages where they are repaired and the gas stations where they fill up and the homes of the drivers.
sure, but every bit of that is instantly replaceable and you are doubling down on the same bad tradeoffs. Toyota junkers for million dollar missiles.
says the guy who got shot at by 122mm rockets from bamboo launch pads
https://www.historynet.com/powerful-guns-of-the-grunts/122mm-rockets-aimed-at-saigon/
We can save money by firing all the drag queens reading to our kids at public libraries.
Is this THE Craig Felker????? Inquiring minds want to know.
Depends on who is asking
A long time ago in a squadron far far away there was a Skoal Brother (aka FFF). It you are that CC then Pimp sez "welcome to the porch".
That is I Pimp! That was a long, long time ago. Thanks!
The Iranians did close Tehran FIR ahead of the attack, which in turn triggered the Iraqis to quickly close Baghdad FIR.
The Iranians had no choice, because they had to move the "aluminum atmospheric river" that is the Gulf air traffic on the great circle that travels north and south above the Tigris and Euphrates out of the way before they could launch their strike...
https://twitter.com/flightradar24/status/1778231302992339231/photo/1
Not many realize this benefited the rug merchants. They netted a sweet 7 figure plus bump in overflight fees as much of the traffic shifted east through Mashad FIR...
https://twitter.com/flightradar24/status/1779383997904167063
Now, that was Smart!
Wait, which ones are the "rug merchants," the Iranians or the Iraqis?
Genuine question. My dad used to tell me stories of the 1967 war that involved artillery batteries on opposite sides of the suez canal pausing fire to allow cargo ships to pass buy. I don't assume any side of the current conflict would put ancient blood fueds ahead of business deals.
"Wait, which ones are the "rug merchants," the Iranians or the Iraqis?"
The Iranians...
The Iraqis lost some serious money when they couldnt accept traffic.
I will submit the US has been too conditioned to being able to conduct war unfettered below FL250 after all the years of how that got done in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Been "ankle biting" for years about it. Now I would think its dawning on everybody that it wont work anymore. Especially in the aviation crossroads of the planet.
What scares me the most is the conjunction of the airways G183 and UB411, along with L550, which essentially meet just south of Israel over the Gulf of Aqaba...
https://www.icao.int/MID/Documents/2022/FWC2022%20TF7/PPT11.pdf
Been plenty of intercepts of Houtjhi drones and rockets in close proximity, while the air traffic just keeps on truckin'.
https://x.com/leandro_ptbr/status/1777722800783892600
Oh well. Little shrapnel...Big sky.
Of note, the Suez was closed from the 67 war in June to early 1975...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_Suez_Canal_Clearance_Operation
My first time through was in 1977, and the ravages of the war were everywhere still.
Much like Steel City, I too thought initially that it was a more expansive version of firing rockets into the desert like they did after Soleimani. Now I'm leaning more towards a testing of air defenses to see if the low level intercept capabilities would be as poor as it was during the attacks on the Khurais and Abqaiq refineries in Saudi Arabia.
Something about pushing with a bayonet until you hit resistance.
So important thing I’m observing. Iran demonstrated that they have the will (intent) and the capability to strike Israel. They have likely calculated that they are all in and that all their proxies will attack also. Israel understand that based on this new calculus, Israel is now facing an “existential threat”. That is to say, Israel will take extraordinary measures now to decapitate Iranian leadership, destroy Iranian missile manufacturing complexes and industry including oil production and will likely, yes very likely, use nuclear weapons to destroy Iranian nuclear weapons facilities. It’s a whole new game folks.
I think the attack was as close to counting coup as you can get using Ballistic and Cruise missiles.
"We remember everything but learn nothing." Most of America remembers nothing because they weren't paying enough attention for the sight, sound or printed word to make an impression. What was never learned can't be remembered.
If one's attention span is confined to content that is consumed in great quantity and brevity, I would imagine one would be filling their minds with a lot of "empty calories" and not content that you to bear down mentally to get through. The kind of material content that leads someone to put down what they're reading in order to let it soak in... let alone attempt to weave in circumstances of current events that are relavent and were very long in gestation.