It’s a multi-front war in Israel as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Jordan launch an attack. But Iran says attack is over already.
Israel Braces for Impact
Haaretz reports Iran Launches Missiles, Drones as Israel Braces for Impact; Houthis, Hezbollah Join Attack
- First Iranian attack drones will reach Israel around 2 A.M., defense officials estimate; Israel to close airspace.
- Over 100 drones intercepted outside Israeli territory with assistance from U.S. and U.K., Israeli army radio reports. IDF deploys GPS jamming
- Israeli war, security cabinets convene, Israeli army intensifies emergency guidelines, shuts down schools and large gatherings.
- IDF confirms ballistic missiles launched at Israel as explosions heard above Jlem, major cities in Israel’s south and north
Silliness Spreads
Clearly, Greenwald is correct.
Iran Says its ‘Military Action’ Is ‘Concluded’
“Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!”
Concluded Already
Q: Does this make any sense?
A: Yes
First: Iran does not want a full war with Israel.
Second: The Israeli attack on Damascus on April 1 that led to Iran’s retaliation was illegal.
“Diplomatic buildings are entitled to broad protections from attack or other interference by the host country under international customary law, codified in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Convention on Consular Relations.”
Here’s an alternate view from the NYT.
“Israel is a third state and is not bound by the law of diplomatic relations with regard to Iran’s Embassy in Syria,” said Aurel Sari, a professor of international law at Exeter University in the United Kingdom.
Then again
“Embassies are protected from use of force in an armed conflict, not primarily because they are embassies but because they are civilian objects,” said Yuval Shany, an international law professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. “Therefore, in principle, it is not permissible to target an embassy in the same way it’s not permissible to target a school.”
Third: The distance involved made the attack symbolic.
Conclusion
- Iran felt obliged to respond to an action by Israel that many would conclude is illegal.
- Iran did respond but in a manner that was unlikely to accomplish anything but preserve honor.
However, Iran’s response is likely to stir up more sympathy in Congress for aid to Israel.
This is of course what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted in the first place when he attacked the embassy in Syria.
Everything fits nicely.
Spotlight US Congress
War hawks in Congress will be clamoring for more money for defense, more money for Ukraine, and more money for Israel.
To buy votes of Democrats who object to more money for Israel, expect monetary sweeteners for pet projects.
It’s always more of this in return for more of that.
Paying the Bill
Cumulative Issuance
- From 2013-2019 the total amount of treasuries outstanding rose from $11.854 trillion to $16.663 trillion. That’s an increase of $4.809 trillion in six years.
- From 2019-2023 the total amount of treasuries outstanding rose from $16.673 trillion to $26.366 trillion. That’s an increase of $9.693 trillion in four years.
For more details, please see How Much Treasury Issuance Does the US Add Every Month to Finance Debt?
Emily Hudson