Matters coming to a head in the Middle East?

The Iranians say their program is near completion. Netanyahu says Iran will attempt to destroy Israel, and if nobody else will try, Israel will have to stop it.

The re—supply of Hezbollah, the arming and training of Hamas, and Syria's new belligerent tone on getting back the Golan, are all  related to the Iranian program, and what Israel and or the US may do about it.

I think American action is less likely, given the election defeat for Bush and the Baker Commission with its EU type message that is coming (settle the Israeli Palestinian conflict and the world will be a better place, and even Iraq will be easier to deal with). There is always the possibility of a massive head fake going on, and as we speak plans are being laid for an attack. But I don't think so.

All of this means I think that there is a high likelihood of a resumption of the war between Israel and Hezb'allah, as well as a second front with Hamas in Gaza, within months.

Richard Baehr   11 14 06

Update from Ethel C. Fenig

The Iranians are not bluffing when threatening to eliminate Israel while to Israel's north Hamas is rearming thanks to Syria and Iran and other countries while the so called peacekeepers yawn.  Meanwhile in tiny Israel's south,

Yuval Diskin, head of the GSS, tells Knesset Members yet again that Israel faces a massive military offensive initiated by increasingly—armed Palestinian terrorists in Gaza. Appearing this morning (Tuesday) before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Diskin said that the terrorists in Gaza are preparing and arming themselves for the coming clash. The extremist factions in particular are strengthening themselves, he said.

The storm clouds are darkening, the wind is stronger.