Fury at Epic Deflection

 I have only a few minutes to comment on the Iran gambit, which I admit I did not expect to come to pass so soon.  It was so unnecessary to open this box of hornets* as the deal which restored a block on enrichment was available.  Instead Trump yielded to the persuasion of Netanyahu, who has a make-or-break election of his own very soon, and went for the war option. 

The success of killing Khamenei adds a lot of complication to the affair, which could've been executed in a less maximalist way, but it was perhaps the intelligence that the Supreme Leader was having an early-morning meeting with his defense leaders led Trump to act immediately.  For this, no doubt we can credit an Israeli spy on site, or near it. 

I will say that one who will find benefit from this is Putin's Russia.  One more hostile nearby neighbor to subvert.  It will raise the price of oil, which also helps them.  China will protest the action, even in the Security Council, because they will raise the very valid point that assassination strikes against foreign leaders is not conducive to effective diplomacy or government. 

The fanatics among the leadership of Iran will seek revenge in unknown places and times, so we must be aware that risks of life and limb are associated with this stuff.  We can hope that someone--perhaps the President of the state survived?--will be allowed to surface safely and soon, requesting an end to the carnage.

Bored of Peace, I say.  

 

*In the Greek legend of Pandora's box, after she opened it and released all the evils flying out into the world, there remained one small, glowing object--hope.  I think of that as a firefly.