I highly encourage persons to read a newsletter/blog that I’ve added to my Iran blog, Echoing Eden: Christian Analysis of the Conflict in Israel, found at https://zacharymccartney.substack.com
Extended Quote of the Day, from the WSJ editorial board: “The Pentagon says the U.S. hit two facilities in eastern Syria that are used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). But pinprick bombing of weapons and ammo lockers aren’t proportionate to the enemy attacks. Iran’s proxies have lobbed rockets or drones at U.S. positions at least 19 times since Oct. 17. One U.S. contractor died after suffering a cardiac event while ducking for cover. Some 21 U.S. service members have been injured. The restrained U.S. response is intended as a warning, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin implied more could follow if the militias keep it up. No doubt President Biden aims to avoid a larger regional conflict. But a better example for restoring deterrence is former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in Syria in 2018 when Russia’s Wagner Group and Bashar al-Assad fighters attacked a U.S. military position. As Gen. Mattis told Congress, he directed the attacking force “to be annihilated. And it was.” The Wagner Group and other malign actors absorbed the lesson of that furious military response. The risk now is that Iran thinks it can continue to launch rockets at Americans at a manageable price. Secretary Austin also said the U.S. response was “separate and distinct from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.” But everyone paying attention knows that’s not true. Why pretend otherwise? Like Hamas, the militias from Yemen to Iraq and Syria are equipped, trained and financed by the IRGC. They don’t act without Iran’s assent. Iran is also stirring up the West Bank and harassing Israel in the north via Hezbollah in Lebanon. Telling Americans that the strikes have nothing to do with Hamas disguises the nature of the Middle East challenge and the source of the problem. The Biden Administration deserves credit for equating Hamas with Islamic State and trying to mobilize an international coalition to eliminate the terrorist group. But without changing American policy toward Iran, the threat will persist. Mr. Biden will have to drop the fantasies of a nuclear deal, enforce sanctions on oil and missiles instead of winking at violations, and restore maximum pressure on Tehran. That could include covert aid to the dissidents inside Iran so the Ayatollahs feel pressure at home.” See “A Weak Response to Iran’s Attacks,” WSJ, 10-27-23.
Oops. Another Hamas projectile doesn’t hit its target, meant for Eilat, Israel, but slammed into Taba, opposite the Israeli side of the border. Identified as either a drone or missile, it fell near a medical facility in the Egyptian Red Sea resort town of Taba, and injured six people Egypt’s per Al Qahera News reports. Images online and in Egyptian media showed a damaged building and exploded vehicles. “Fallen drone injures six in Egypt town near Israel: army,” AFP, Arab News, 10-27-23.
This is what I’m waiting for on 10-27 after this 10-26 story below — “Information about the specific targets and other details were not yet provided” to determine if our attacks were simply the same amount of force, not enough force, or provide a real deterrent and message to the Ayatollah. “US strikes Iran-linked sites in Syria in retaliation for attacks on US troops,” AP, 10-26-23. There have been 12 attacks on U.S. bases and personnel in Iraq and 4 in Syria since Oct. 17. 21 U.S. personnel were injured in two of those assaults that used drones to target al-Asad Airbase in Iraq and al-Tanf Garrison in Syria. So, should the U.S. conduct 16 attacks? Until we know more, two on 10-26 is skimpy. We want to deter the bad actor, not refuse to punish.
Oops again. “IDF spokesperson: Hamas’ main operation base is under Gaza’s largest hospital,” I-24, 10-27-23. Will Iran denounce Hamas’ use of a hospital as a violation of international law? It is Shifa Hospital. See also “Hamas’s key operation center underneath Gaza’s largest hospital,” I24, 10-27-23. “Hamas routinely and in an emergency uses humanitarian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip for the benefit of its terrorist activities while utilizing the humanitarian shelter to protect its terrorists and the leaders of the terrorist organization.”
“Iran Warns of New Fronts Against the US If Gaza War Drags On,” Bloomberg, 10-27-23. Considering that Iran’s FM says his country doesn’t control these various groups who would attack the U.S., he certainly seems to know a lot about their intentions.