{"id":8890,"date":"2026-03-24T12:52:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T17:52:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/?p=8890"},"modified":"2026-03-30T05:08:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T10:08:08","slug":"8890","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/2026\/03\/24\/8890\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

Considering the control by Iran in southern Lebanon since the early 1980s and its later heavy influence in the national legislature and in Beirut, this is a really important story in Lebanon\u2019s future and the possible disarmament of Hezbollah.\u00a0 In short, the Supreme Leader Nos. 1 and 2 (there apparently is not a No. 3 as MK is unable to communicate, and I won\u2019t repeat opponent jokes about his not appearing until the Occultation) have violated Lebanon\u2019s sovereignty for too long.\u00a0 See \u201cBeirut declares Iranian ambassador ‘persona non grata,’ calls for his departure,\u201d<\/a> i24, 3-24-26.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsrael targeted Russia-Iran weapons supply line in Caspian Sea strike \u2013 report,\u201d<\/a> i-24, 3-24-26.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOfficials told The Wall Street Journal that the operation focused on disrupting shipments of ammunition and unmanned aerial systems, including Shahed drones.\u201d\u00a0 Israel sends a message to Russia and Ukraine about right and wrong.<\/p>\n

You see this title and your head spins.\u00a0 \u201cWill Iran Turn to Terrorism?,\u201d<\/a> in Foreign Affairs, 3-24-26.\u00a0 I thought that happened starting in 1979.\u00a0 Somebody call FA.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrump administration offers 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran,\u201d<\/a> AP, 3-24-26.<\/p>\n

Read this and let\u2019s talk.\u00a0 The understanding of int\u2019l law and warfare and national interests is not understood by this reporter.\u00a0 Nor do they identify how the Regime was going to be stopped, by somebody, anybody, before the U.S. and Israel, months and months ago, decided to step up.\u00a0 The UN certainly was not addressing Iran.\u00a0 See \u201cIran war shows norms of international conflicts have been overturned,\u201d<\/a> BBC, 3-24-26.<\/p>\n

\u201cIran\u2019s Missile Shots at Diego Garcia,\u201d<\/a> WSJ, 3-24-26.\u00a0\u00a0This goes to the debate over \u201cimminent\u201d threat.\u00a0 Please be aware that presidents know more than we.\u00a0 So whether missile capabilities, nuclear enrichment amounts, use of proxies to attack, refusal to negotiate in good faith regarding the nuclear program, continued acceptance of missile aid from China, continued coordination with Russia of drone technology, etc., there was plenty to understand there has been and is an imminent threat from Iran.\u00a0 Whether a president acts on it or not.\u00a0 From the Journal, \u201cThe episode also is a reminder of the virtues of missile defense. U.S. systems like Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) and SM-3 have demonstrated their effectiveness, and now everybody wants more interceptors. It\u2019s easy to forget that even shorter-range air defenses were conceived in controversy\u2014derided by the American left as too expensive and provocative to enemies, as if America would somehow be safer if it remained defenseless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIran\u2019s Missile Shots at Diego Garcia,\u201d<\/a> WSJ, 3-24-26.\u00a0\u00a0This goes to the debate over \u201cimminent\u201d threat.\u00a0 Please be aware that presidents know more than we.\u00a0 So whether missile capabilities, nuclear enrichment amounts, use of proxies to attack, refusal to negotiate in good faith regarding the nuclear program, continued acceptance of missile aid from China, continued coordination with Russia of drone technology, etc., there was plenty to understand there has been and is an imminent threat from Iran.\u00a0 Whether a president acts on it or not.\u00a0 From the Journal, \u201cThe episode also is a reminder of the virtues of missile defense. U.S. systems like Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) and SM-3 have demonstrated their effectiveness, and now everybody wants more interceptors. It\u2019s easy to forget that even shorter-range air defenses were conceived in controversy\u2014derided by the American left as too expensive and provocative to enemies, as if America would somehow be safer if it remained defenseless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaudi Leader Is Said to Push Trump to Continue Iran War in Recent Calls,\u201d<\/a> NYT, 3-24-26.\u00a0 “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sees a \u201chistoric opportunity\u201d to remake the region, according to people briefed by U.S. officials on the conversations.”<\/p>\n

\u201cIran to expand terror attempts against Israelis, Jews overseas for Passover, Israel warns | LIVE BLOG,\u201d<\/a> i24, 3-24-26.<\/p>\n

\u201cHezbollah\u2019s missile arsenal slashed after months of Israeli strikes \u2013 report,\u201d<\/a> i24, 3-24-26.<\/p>\n

\u201cA \u2018Wannabe Strongman\u2019 Rises in Iran as Trump Seeks a Dealmaker,\u201d<\/a> WSJ, 3-24-26.<\/p>\n

\u201cRepublicans reject limits on Iran war, despite deepening conflict,\u201d<\/a> Politico, 3-24-26.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Considering the control by Iran in southern Lebanon since the early 1980s and its later heavy influence in the national legislature and in Beirut, this is a really important story in Lebanon\u2019s future and the possible disarmament of Hezbollah.\u00a0 In short, the Supreme Leader Nos. 1 and 2 (there apparently is not a No. 3 … <\/p>\n

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