You must know by now that  Iran finally responded on their revenge  for the assassination of Hamas leader  Ismail Haniyeh in Teheran on 31July2024, compounded by those pager/walkie talkie explosions and bombing death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. Sent 180 or ballistic missiles to Israel from Iran.  Almost 90% got intercepted, but that means at least 20 succeeded.  However, no fatalities. Remember that earlier revenge strike by Iran in April for Israel bombing their militia in Syria?  More than 300 missiles, of which 99% were intercepted? I think the drop in interceptions this time was that there were only two destroyers helping the  Iron Dome , which was funded by President Barack Obama.  In April, at least one aircraft carrier helped in the defense. The question is what's next? Was that all from Iran?  Early reports indicate that was it . Will Israel retaliate?  In April, they didn't because there were no civilian deat...

Yesterday I reported on those Israeli pager attacks of the Hezbollah in Lebanon.   A second wave followed .  First, 9 killed and 3,000 injured, and second, 25 deaths and 600 wounded.  As carrying a mobile phone incurs other risks, the Hezbollah must be stymied on how to communicate.  These Taiwanese pagers are fabricated in Budapest, Hungary.  Japanese walkie-talkie devices were apparently also triggered.  Like the Taiwanese, the Japanese-maker, Icom, said someone just copied their product.   The Hezbollah will retaliate in some way.  And what about the Iranian revenge attack that has long been delayed?  The whole region is now a powder keg on the verge of exploding.  Our next two trips will totally avoid that region. Last week I lamented the position of the USA on medical care and costs.  Well, a new report found that the  U.S. ranks as the WORST performer among 10 developed nation in health care .  In preventin...

That fuse for the   powder keg in the Middle East   awaits a spark. Looks like Israel is paralyzed about what to do about those hostages kept in the Gaza Strip, while   still bombing targets of necessity , like a mosque in the West Bank, used by militants and two airports in Syria.   Investigatory skirmishes have occurred in the Strip, while fire is still being traded with the Hezbollah to the north.   700,000 moved to the south in the Strip. It is reported that more than 100,000 Israelis were relocated away from the border with Lebanon.  Iran keeps sending dire warnings of escalation.   A 20-truck aid convoy did make it into the Gaza Strip from Egypt yesterday, with 12 more today.  But no exit yet for those desiring to leave.  This two-day total equaled about 6% of the usual daily import to the Strip before this war.  The call is for 100 trucks/day, and release of foreigners. The death toll stands at 1400 in Israel and 46...