Don't

Don't

Fascinating mess in the Middle East.

Biden said "Don't;" Iran did. So will Biden have an Obama 'Red line?'

I can't imagine what Iran is thinking other than perhaps a symbolic display, like a minuet--Iran steps here, Israel steps there--with no serious damage done. 

 

Iran's high-volume but relatively low-tech attack did virtually no damage, reaffirming Israel's defense is very good. But this looks like a pulled punch, a political, not a true military, act. Iran displays its feathers as an aggressive entity that will fight if pressed. The Middle East is having visions of what would really happen if their cartel/commerce was shut down and everyone else is pondering a world without energy. Biden has been reduced to an old man trying to defend his lawn.

Biden could become peripheral here but the attack on Israel raises everyone's hand. Even China doesn't want war. And there is clearly a Middle East leadership vacuum that the U.S.--not the Biden golem but some figure--could fill and consolidate local support. (Of course, the weak-minded Dems could let someone like Russia or China step in and become that consolidator.)

But Iran looks to have given Israel the high ground. What if Israel refuses to play symbolism? What if they use it to solve their Iran problem for good?