Law, Power, and Justice

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024

MSNBC

Reports are that Israel has attacked “military targets” in Iran, near Tehran.  This attach was publicly warned about.  This is a retaliation for the October 1 attack of Israel.  Biden wants to avoid a “new cycle of retaliation.”  The US has moved personnel into Israel to respond to any retaliation by Iran.

(Note: This is such a strange phase of warfare, where states warn of attacks, launch specified target attacks, and call it even, or at least that is the hope.)

John Brennan, former CIA:

• Netanyahu has listened to the US and not attacked nuclear or civilian targets.
• The question is if there were a significant number of military casualties, which would provoke a response.  (Note: Again, it is weird to be calculating the exact number of casualties which are acceptable and what is over that number.  It’s like a game.)

Ayman Mohyeldin

• They are military targets, barracks, offices, weapons depot.
• Iran has said that they would respond to any attack.
• But, still it seems to depend on the targets.  Infrastructure, nuclear and civilian would provoke an attack.
• Israel killed a military guy inside Iran, Iran gave heads up about response, signaled that they were through.
• Leader of Hezbollah killed, there was a response where missiles landed inside Israel. 
• This is the third round of attacks.  Each side thinks they are retaliating to the other side.

Ben Rhodes (former Obama Administration, note: good guy)

CNN (Anderson Cooper)

Amanpour

• (Note: No energy targets or oil targets, infrastructure.  Iran would consider existential and respond.)
• “Everybody knew this was going to happen.”
• The direction of the planes?  They might have to fly over several Arab countries. 
• Iran has trying to keep Arab countries “neutral.”
• “There’s been a lot of telegraphing.”
• It is considered that the nuclear facilities couldn’t be attacked unless US participation was involved.
• This appears to be aircraft dropping bombs or missiles from the planes.  This is a first. 
• (Note: There are reported attacks in other countries.  We don’t know if this is part of the Israeli attack.)
• This is about deterrence.  Israel is the dominant military force.  Iran cannot challenge Israel.
• Iran doesn’t want things to get out of control and expand to a wider conflict.
• The oil facilities are quite vulnerable.  They could easily be attacked.

Welcome to life under Republicans – no regulations.  E Coli outbreak from McDonalds and Costo recalls Salmon because of listeria.  Want no controls on food?  Vote Republican.