WHAT’S NEXT?
Israel Brings Deterrence Back to the War on Terror: Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, Aug. 1, 2024 — Coming on the heels of strikes that killed Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif in Khan Younis and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, the assassination in Tehran of Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, sent clear messages to Hezbollah, Hamas and, most important, Iran. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president, who was elected last month following his predecessor’s death in a May helicopter crash.
IDF Document Shared with Northern Mayors Sets Out Hezbollah War Scenarios: Shalom Yerushalmi, Times of Israel, Aug. 4, 2024 — A document by the Israel Defense Forces detailing the “Updated Scenario” in the event of an all-out war with Hezbollah was recently shared with northern mayors, The Times of Israel has learned.
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What Will Iran Do Next?: Jonathan Spyer, The Spectator, Aug. 3, 2024
The Three Assassinations That Changed the Middle East – Analysis: Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, Aug. 5, 2024
Iran’s Steadily Eroding Ring of Fire: Yaakov Lappin, JNS, Aug. 1, 2024
The Heat Is On: Options for Deterrence in the Middle East: J.E. Dyer, The Optimistic Conservative, Aug. 2, 2024
For Further Reference:
Israelis Accept the Breach in Relations with the Biden Administration: Caroline B. Glick, JNS, Aug. 2, 2024 — Israelis hunkered down Thursday night and braced for Iran’s promised retaliation for Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah and Hamas terror masters Fuad Shukr and Ismail Haniyeh. As they did so, Channel 14 broadcast the results of a Direct Polls survey of the public’s perspective on Israel’s strategic condition and imperatives. The results were stunning.
U.S. Prepares to Counter Iranian Attack on Israel Within Days, U.S. Officials Say: Barak Ravid, Axios, Aug. 1, 2024 — The Biden administration is convinced Iran is going to attack Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week and is preparing to counter it, three U.S. officials told Axios.
US to Boost Military Presence in Mideast, Sending Fighter Jet Squadron and Keeping Carrier in Region: Lolita C. Baldor and Tara Copp, Washington Post, Aug. 2, 2024 — The U.S. will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region, the Pentagon said Friday, beefing up the American military presence to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies and safeguard U.S. troops.
Jordanian FM in Tehran as Regime Weighs Retaliation Against Israel: Neta Bar, Israel Hayom, Aug. 4, 2024 — Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi touched down in Tehran Sunday morning for diplomatic talks as fears escalate over potential Iranian retaliation against Israel and American assets in the region.