Sometimes I just have to get home from Crossfit, plunk down in front of the microphone, and start talking. In particular I thought it was important to say something before the weekend about the brief illusions of peace in the context of a deliberate de-escalation of conflict that’s called a ‘cease-fire’.

This comes up in the context of the US Navy steaming warships through the Strait of Hormuz to break the blockade, with Iranian drone squadrons, anti-ship cruise missile batteries and fast attack boats firing on them like billy-o, and the Iranians exacting a toll by shooting missiles at the UAE. During a cease-fire.

China, though: likely to be bankrolling Iran’s reconstruction, ready to be quietly demanding, and holding power of veto over POTUS’s imminent visit to China with all the pi-pa-po of standing on the dais as the armed might of Chinese Communism marches past, and the President gets all the free Chinese food. Best not ruin that by insisting on Israel’s victory conditions.

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