Israel’s response was smart: avoid escalation without letting Iran define new rules, in which Israel could not hit IRGC in Syria/Iraq without Iran responding directly. That said, Israel now will weigh the pros and cons of strikes against Qods Forces there. Both made points.

Israel hit in very limited way in Iran and in Syria. Proves point will respond but limited. Iran acting now as if it deterred Israel from a larger strike. Both sides made a point and ready to go back to the shadows for the time-being. But both see how easy it is to escalate.

One big difference then, the U.S. said don’t retaliate against Saddam because we will hit whatever targets you feel should be hit. That won’t happen now but the US needs to raise the price to Iran for what has happened. Time to enforce the sanctions on the buying of Iran’s oil.

In 1991, Saddam hit Israel will Scud missiles. The U.S. said don’t play into his hands by turning the world against Saddam into an Arab-Israel war. Now some will say don’t play into Sinwar’s hands with a response that creates a regional war instead of finishing the war in Gaza.

The Iranian barrage against Israel, involved the same drones it sends to Russia to attack Ukraine. I hope Speaker Johnson sees the need, the urgency to pass the supplemental for Israel and Ukraine. Our security depends on making Iran and Russia pay. That is putting America 1st.

Hard to believe that Iran’s leaders cares at all about Islam. They fired a rocket at Jerusalem and the Haram al Sharif. Fortunately Israel intercepted it. Of course if the Iranians had hit it they would have lied and blamed it on Israel.

Iran has launched drones at Israel. The drone attack is likely to be followed by cruise missile strikes. Israel probably can intercept what is coming. Still, US should assist in those interceptions. No one wants a wider war, but Iran should know, it will pay a price for this.

Hamas has rejected another hostage deal ceasefire proposal. Every chance it has to relieve the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, it rejects. Why is there no focus on its blocking any humanitarian pause? Why no pressure on it to end the suffering of Gazans? Past time to do so.

Yes, victory is not possible without getting the hostages back but demilitarization and the prevention of re-militarization is an endgame.

Israel now has 1 brigade in Gaza, down from 5 divisions. Why? It has largely demilitarized Gaza; Hamas is no longer a military.Its fighters are not gone but are no longer in units with command control. Agree with US on a mechanism to prevent remilitarization and declare victory.

Israel must be serious about permitting humanitarian assistance and ensuring the security of delivery. This is not just morally right; it is in Israel’s strategic interest to gain the time needed to dismantle Hamas militarily. That must be the objective, not ill defined slogans.

So sorry to see that Joe Lieberman has died. I got to know him over the years and always found him thoughtful. He understood the importance of values and interests in foreign policy and of America leading. He was a centrist and his reasoned voice will be missed.

Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, had good mtgs in Washington. He understood the importance of the relationship and acted strategically. It is not impossible to reach an understanding on how to deal with Rafah. US-Israel should now agree on how demilitarization is needed.

Jake Sullivan asks good question about Israeli plans for stabilizing Gaza. If Gaza city/Shifa hospital cleared months ago, how is it is Hamas is back in the City/hospital? Fair question. Another fair one: why does media ignore Hamas/PIJ use Shifa again. PIJ leader seized in it.

Total victory is a slogan not an objective. Demilitarization of Hamas/Gaza is a real objective and Israel is achieving it. Let’s agree with Israel on how much is enough to define success. And then develop the right means to ensure no rearming is possible. foreignaffairs.com/israel/israel-…

Can the U.S. opening a maritime channel make a difference in Gaza? Yes. But how is the aid to be distributed? Who manages the security? Local non- Hamas should do it but it requires someone providing security. Contractors could do it. Otherwise Hamas will divert it and recoup.

Yesterday’s debacle with needless deaths over the delivery of food in Gaza should never have happened. There should have been a plan for delivery of food with security provided. Use contract security people if necessary but arrange for this.

A real reform process in the Palestinian Authority will be credible when it is led by a new empowered prime minister.That new PM must be untainted by association with the PA; able to appoint ministers based on merit not patronage; and be able to recruit younger, talented people.

The fact that the Russians are not turning over Navalny’s body suggests he did not die of natural causes. It was not enough to put him in a prisons in remote area, they had to kill him. Regrettably, Putin believed this was cost free. Let’s hope it is not.

Alexei Navalny is dead, killed by the regime. And the regime is testing space weapons. Is it not possible for House Republicans to see the threat that Russia poses? Can they not see voting for aid to allow Ukraine to defend itself is essential for protecting America?