The  big news of the day is that a ceasefire has been reached in the Gaza Strip Israel-Hamas War , with hostages to be exchanged and mass aid to be initiated on January 19.  That will be phase one.  Further negotiations into phases two and three are in the agreement for an end to this war, including all hostages and remains and other matters.  Someone named Trump will not be happy with that specific date, but his administration will need to handle the next two phases.   All still remains fragile and the next two steps will be difficult, but this time, the peace announcement by Qatar, Egypt and the USA looks real, bringing an end to the 467 days war.  With the skirmish in Lebanon between  Israel and the Hezbollah  looking settled,  Iran  significantly weakened, things falling into place in  Syria  with the departure of  Bashar Al Assad, AND NO MAJOR CONFLICT EXPANSION IN THE MIDDLE LOOMING, the region for the first tim...

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...