Gaming The 2024 Campaign › Victor Davis Hanson

  American Greatness

Will Biden’s feebleness still earn him sympathy? Or will it devolve to the point that the public concludes that Joe Biden would not be able to keep any job in America—except the U.S. Presidency?

"We have seen enough of the Biden-Trump race so far to predict what lies ahead over the next seven months of the campaign. Currently, the polls are about dead even. Trump, however, for now enjoys small leads in the majority of the fickle swing/purple states that will likely decide the election.

"So here is what we should expect:

Biden

"Biden has three major vulnerabilities and three major assets. His fate will depend on how these criteria play out.

"First, on the negative side of the ledger, Biden suffers continual mental and physical decline, which is accelerating exponentially. His work week is now more off than on. Aides pray that he can get through a teleprompter without complete incoherence. His speech is so slurred, his syntax so bizarre that he seems to speak a language that is mostly indecipherable.

"They rightly fear that any young attractive woman or even preteen might earn a trademark Biden weird call-out, a hair- or accustomed ear-blow, or even an attempted presidential too-long hug or neck nibble.

"Steps pose an existential threat, given that the president is one trip away from oblivion. Biden is not even the diminished Biden of 2020, when, in his basement, he at least manipulated the COVID-19 lockdown to mask his infirmities and abbreviated schedules.

"The odds are 50/50 whether Biden will even make it over the next five months to the August Democratic Convention. And, assuming that he does, can he rein in efforts to push him off the ticket?

"Second, the Biden family is corrupt. Hunter still faces spring- and summer-long felony exposure in connection with his Biden-family brand of tax cheating. Joe knows that his own documents, first-hand witnesses, bank statements, Hunter’s emails, and testimonies from Hunter’s associates reveal that the otherwise talentless but high-living Biden extended family was surviving only by the sale of Senator, Vice President, and future President Joe Biden’s name—and his known willingness to pay fast and loose with legal and ethical constraints.

"There is still some chance that, in the current impeachment investigations and trial, more incriminating evidence will emerge or turned witnesses will offer proof of Biden’s criminality. For now, Biden’s lawbreaking is completely dismissed by Attorney General Merrick Garland and by special counsel Robert Hur’s satirical-comedy-worthy argument that even overwhelming evidence pointing to Joe Biden’s criminal behavior cannot be prosecuted because of the president’s dementia." . . .

Don't, Don't, Don't

Never forget Israel has a long memory

 "The center of this war — as the hardcore history of the decidedly pre-Israel Hitler–Grand Mufti meeting a full 83 years ago so vividly demonstrates — is about killing Jews. Exterminating an entire race of human beings. And doing so for no other reason than hatred of Jews. Which is exactly what motivated Hitler to launch the Holocaust. That was the position of the Palestinian Grand Mufti in 1941 — and it is the position of Hamas and Iran and their allies today."  Jeffrey Lord (below)*

Iran’s regime strong-armed Jewish community to praise attack on Israel - The Jerusalem Post    "The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to exploit its small Jewish community for propaganda purposes in its war against Israel.

"The Jewish community in Tehran took to its Telegram page on Monday to announce its “Appreciation of the hero armed forces of the land of Iran” for its massive aerial bombardment of Israel on Saturday and Sunday.

"Alireza Nader, an Iran expert who closely monitors minority communities in the Islamic Republic, told The Jerusalem Post, “The small Jewish community in Iran is held hostage to the whims of the regime. Any time the regime wants revenge against Israel, it eyes Iranian Jews.' ”

Of course, there are Iranian Jews; just as there were German Jews. TD

*Hitler’s Meeting With Grand Mufti Shows War in Middle East Is About Hatred of Jews - The American Spectator | USA News and Politics  . . ."Hitler’s visitor was one Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and a Palestinian Arab. A careful record of their conversation was kept. And over there at the Times of Israel, the essence of that conversation has been published.

"Among other things said to Hitler by the Grand Mufti was this:

The Arabs were Germany’s natural friends because they had the same enemies as had Germany, namely the English, the Jews and the Communists.

 "To which Hitler replied that: 

Germany stood for uncompromising war against the Jews…. Germany was resolved, step by step, to ask one European nation after the other to solve its Jewish problem, and at the proper time to direct a similar appeal to non-European nations as well.

 "As soon as Germany had won the war, Hitler said:"

Germany’s objective would then be solely the destruction of the Jewish element residing in the Arab sphere under the protection of British power. In that hour the Mufti would be the most authoritative spokesman for the Arab world.  . . .

 A wounded, weakened Israel is a fiercer one | The Times of Israel  "The assault on Israeli towns was as cruel as Hamas could make it, and every agonizing minute was broadcast to Israelis as a message and a humiliation. Now comes the Israeli answer.". . .

Hamas did everything it could to shock Israelis, to humiliate and horrify, kidnapping children, desecrating corpses, and then crowing about it to the world. And Israelis watched it all, minute by agonizing minute. And they agreed. Their weakness had become clear, unavoidable. . . .

And celebrated by Muslims around the world including, as expected, among some Democrats in the U.S. Congress. TD 

Israel Declares It Does Not Want War With Iran, but Saturday's Attacks Will Not Go Unanswered – RedState

   . . ."As the dust settles from Iran’s attack, the world is watching closely to see how Israel will respond. While Herzog affirmed that Israel does not want war, it is clear the Jewish state will not let the rocket attacks go unanswered. What remains to be seen is the nature of Israel’s retaliation and how it might affect tensions in the region."

Yes, Biden (a Democrat, I must add) DID Approve Iran's Attack – HotAir

"Iran informed Turkey in advance of its planned operation against Israel, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters on Sunday, adding that the US conveyed to Iran via Ankara that its operation must be "within certain limits.' "

. . ."Israel has become a de facto ally of the Arab governments in their cold war with Persian Iran and a growing trade partner with these countries. Trump's Abraham accords and, give him credit, Jared Kushner's diplomacy remade the Middle East map, and only Iran wants to see that changed. That is the meaning of this war in which Hamas was unleashed. As much as Hamas is an evil death cult, they are also Iranian proxies. Iran wanted to destroy the Arab states' rapprochement with Israel, and for the most part, it has failed." . . . 

 Israel has a long track record of assassinating its enemies. Will it work against Hamas? (nbcnews.com)  "Last week, the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency issued a blunt warning to the Palestinian militants who attacked Israel on Oct. 7

“Let every Arab mother know that if her son took part in the massacre — he signed his own death warrant,” David Barnea said." . . .

The killing of a key Hamas figure in a heavily guarded neighborhood controlled by Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants signaled that Israel was ready to go after its Hamas adversaries far beyond the battlefield in Gaza, even at the risk of provoking a confrontation with Hezbollah.

 Israel spent decades tracking down Nazis for the Holocaust

Peddling fear with rosary in hand

 Silvio Canto, Jr.    "Does anyone remember the 2020 campaign?   

 "I mean the one where one candidate hid in the basement and walked out to buy ice cream once in awhile. 

 "Yes, the "moderate" or the man who was going to make things normal again after the chaotic Trump presidency. 

 "Yes, Scranton Joe who walked with a rosary and was going to bring us together by getting everyone to work together.  

 "Well, the moderate never never lived up to the billing.  Instead, he's governed more like Bernie Sanders or Beto O'Rourke.  Everything we feared about a socialist Sanders presidency or anti-AR-15 Robert Francis O'Rourke performance is coming true with Joe Biden.

 "The so-called "moderate" is now buying votes by cancelling college loans and having the first lady tell the LGBTQ crowd that #45 is a bully:" . . .

. . ."Overall, the Trump presidency was better for the LGBTQers than the Biden term.  These citizens paid less for food and gasoline.  There was more order on the border and the world seemed a bit more calm.

 "Mrs. Biden reminded them that "...marriage equality is now the law of the land, gay men can donate blood, trans Americans can serve in military, and end convergent [sic] therapy."

 "Again, was any of that threatened by the Trump presidency?   Any gay men denied donating blood?  The blood truck comes by our church 2-3 times a year and I never saw a sign like "gays need not donate."

 "So the fear machine is roaring forward.  They can't ask you to vote for them on their record, so they want you to vote against Trump.  

 "In the meantime, the moderate who was going to bring together has a master’s in division and a Ph.D. in peddling fear.

 "And he does it all rosary in hand!"

Parody from Babylon Bee: Biden: 'If You're Not Okay With Women Aborting Their Babies, Then You Ain't Catholic!' | Babylon Bee

President Joe Biden doubled-down on his Catholic faith and his pro-abortion policies Sunday. "Let me be clear," he said to reporters as he exited Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown. "If you're not okay with women aborting their babies, then you ain't Catholic, Jack!" . . .

How Catholic is our president? The view from the SOTU. (religionnews.com)

"President Joe Biden has long claimed to be a very serious Catholic, the kind who goes to Mass regularly and keeps a rich prayer and devotional life. At times he even claims to accept unpopular teachings of the church, including the teaching that human life begins at conception.

"But many Catholics say that Biden, while raised a cultural Catholic, is subject to the ideology of his party and its leaders, who actually run the show when it comes to how he governs as president. As such, they argue, his Catholicism only shows up if it happens to rhyme with big d Democratic values.

"Which is really a way of asking, What does it mean to claim one is Catholic?" . . .

"It’s true that these are complex issues. A Catholic politician who has views at odds with the ideology of his or her party may wrestle with how to be fair, and their pronouncements and policies would at least invite others to wrestle with them as well. The authentic struggle of putting the truth of the faith at the heart of one’s life is a visible one, and a strong leader can allow others to see it in him."

Iran Strikes Israel: Biden’s Doctrine of ‘Don’t’ Fails | National Review 

 . . ." Though President Biden did the right thing by deploying American assets to assist Israel’s defensive response, the reality is that things never would have gotten to this point had it not been for his accommodating policies toward Iran and months of chastising Israel.
Looking further back, the origins of last night’s Iranian aggression could be traced to his former boss." . . .

 . . ."Thanks to the policies of the Obama and Biden administrations, Iran — which has vowed to destroy Israel as a step toward its ultimate goal of “Death to America” — has thousands more ballistic missiles it could fire at Israel." . . .

Rogue Prosecutors and the Rise of Crime -

 Imprimis (hillsdale.edu)

It is no coincidence that [George] Soros, the various political action committees that he controls or funds, and his wealthy far-Left allies have given huge financial support to rogue prosecutor candidates in deep blue cities. They target these cities because their electorates are not paying close attention to down-ballot races and can be misled through a bombardment of often misleading advertisements.

"The writers of our Constitution placed their faith not in specific guarantees of rights—those came later—but in a system of checks on government power. Foremost is the separation of powers among the three branches of the federal government, as well as between the federal government and the states. For this system to work as designed, people in each branch of the federal government and in the state governments must do their jobs and stay in their respective lanes.

"But what happens when district attorneys—members of their states’ executive branches—refuse to execute the laws of the land? We are witnessing the results today in blue cities across America.

"Approximately 90 percent of criminal cases in the U.S. are handled by the 2,300 elected district attorneys spread across 3,143 counties. The rest are prosecuted by U.S. attorneys operating under the Department of Justice. Until recently, elected county district attorneys upheld their end of the social contract by firmly and fairly enforcing state criminal laws and protecting citizens’ rights. Regardless of party affiliation, these gatekeepers of the criminal justice system did their job. Over the last 30 years, they played a critical role in driving down crime rates, which peaked in 1992, by prosecuting violent criminals, while at the same time creating thousands of alternatives to incarceration, such as drug courts, domestic violence courts, mental health courts, and other highly successful programs.

"That changed in 2015 with the launching of the George Soros-funded “progressive prosecutor” movement. This movement is animated by two beliefs. The first is that the entire criminal justice system is systemically racist. The second is that the only way to fix the system is to dismantle it by replacing law-and-order district attorneys with pro-criminal and anti-police district attorneys. The sick irony of this movement is that in the areas where it has prevailed, the most harm has been done to the racial minorities whose interests it purports to represent.

Origins of the Movement

"The progressive prosecutor movement—more accurately called the rogue prosecutor movement—is the predictable outgrowth of efforts by earlier Marxist radicals to alter or destroy the American way of life. At its root is the belief that our country and its institutions, including capitalism, are racist. One of the early leaders of the movement to abolish prisons is the infamous Angela Davis, now in her 80s, who in her 2003 book, Are Prisons Obsolete?, equated prisons to modern-day slavery. “The prison,” she wrote, “has become a black hole into which the detritus of contemporary capitalism is deposited”; throwing people into prison, she continued, “relieves us of the responsibility of seriously engaging with the problems of our society, especially those produced by racism and, increasingly, global capitalism.” . . .

Joe Biden and the world he is leaving us.

 Ouch: These Biden Tweets About Trump and Iran Aged Poorly – Matt Margolis

Make no mistake about it: Biden spent the last three years appeasing Iran, and yet when he warned them not to attack Israel, they did. The United States was then put in a position where we had to help shoot down Iranian missiles and drones. We've never been closer to a war with Iran as we are now, and it is Joe Biden, not Donald Trump, who brought us to this moment.

"Ten years ago, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who served under Barack Obama and George W. Bush, wrote a memoir in which he offered a damning assessment of Joe Biden's foreign policy.

"I think he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades,” he wrote.

"A decade later, it remains painfully true. Joe Biden's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan may prove to be the most consequential moment of his presidency, as it sent his approval ratings underwater for the first time, where they have remained ever since. Because of Biden's weak leadership, we not only lost Afghanistan to the Taliban, but an emboldened Russia invaded Ukraine -- and now, Iran has attacked Israel.

"Biden's past comments on Iran are coming back to haunt him as the world braces for another World War.

"Throughout the 2020 campaign, Joe Biden claimed that Trump was bringing us to the brink of war with Iran." . . .

Report: Biden's 'Ironclad' Support for Israel Doesn't Include U.S. Backing Counterstrike Against Iran – Rick Moran   . . ."Telling Netanyahu that the U.S. would not participate in offensive operations started by Israel against Iran is one thing. It's wise and prudent for the U.S. to stay out of an Israeli-Iranian war. Israel is perfectly capable of defending itself without American troops.

"But not having Israel's back at the UN or elsewhere in the international arena when the inevitable anti-Israeli backlash leads to calls for sanctions and other punitive measures is, plain and simply, a betrayal.". . .

HOLY CRAP: Joe Biden Approved Iran's Assault on Israel 'Within Certain Limits' –Matt Margolis   "On Saturday, Iran initiated a barrage of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel. Thankfully, most of them were successfully intercepted and caused minimal damage. Of course, in a stunning move, President Biden is pushing Israel not to retaliate. It's hard to imagine why Biden would do that, except when you consider that Joe Biden has been appeasing Iran since his days as Barack Obama's vice president.

"With that in mind, it's also not surprising—though it's still shocking— that Joe Biden not only had prior knowledge of Iran's assault on Israel but also technically gave it the green light under certain conditions, according to a report from the Jerusalem Post.

I've said before that, despite his public support for Israel, Biden has not been a friend to the Jewish state. And this report proves that. Joe Biden publicly told Iran not to attack Israel. When it was clear they didn't give a hoot what he said, the Biden administration basically said it was fine to attack Israel as long as the attack was "within certain limits." 

"And then Joe went on vacation." . . .

 . . ."Will the mainstream media report on this interesting development? Not likely. Make no mistake about it: The media will always cover for Joe Biden. They will spin this conflict as Joe Biden displaying leadership and resolve on the world stage. They’ll prop Biden up as a strong and confident leader, hoping it will become true if they repeat the lie often enough, while we're supposed to pretend that we're not on the precipice of World War III."

Biden Furious To Be Called Home From Beach Just Because World War 3 Starting | Babylon Bee

. . ."According to Pentagon sources, with American jets on ready near Israel and ships prepared to help shoot down Iranian missiles, they unfortunately had no choice but to bother President Biden. "We know he really hates when we call him during his beach trips, but sadly a massive war may be starting and he's technically supposed to be here," explained Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. "Obviously, we would all prefer to let him enjoy his vacation, but unfortunately World Wars do require the President to sign a few things.".

Holy Hoo Ha: Women Track and Field Stars Will Wear REVEALING Swim Suits in the Olympics

 Have you seen the women's diving outfits?  "In track, men get to wear clothes and women are wearing what "the algorithm" came up with."  

 "As one person noted about this year's uniform, "I hope [U.S. Olympics officials] is paying for the bikini waxes." Yes, well."

US officials defend 'sexist' 2024 Paris Olympics kit, say athletes have options...2024 Paris Olympics

Olympic track uniforms spark online debate about who designed them and why they're so skimpy (msn.com)  . . . "Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain's Abigail Irozuru, who wondered on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in this team kit?!?”  "Answer: Yes." Of course, they found someone...

Victoria Taft – PJ Media  "Nike has done it again. It is in the news for all the wrong reasons. 

"Nike has made some pretty woke and dumb decisions through the years. It resigned has-been Colin Kaepernick, not for athletic prowess but for his anti-police zealotry and racial bigotry. Meanwhile, Nike cut Tiger Woods, the aging GOAT who sent the golf brand hyper-nova. If you doubt those examples above, then just look at any iteration of the University of Oregon fluorescent yellow uniforms. Make sure you have eye protection. 

"Now this. 

"Nike won the gig to create the athletic uniforms for the U.S. Olympic track and field team this year." . . . 

"I’m sorry, but show me one WNBA or NWSL team who would enthusiastically support this kit. This is for Olympic Track and Field. Professional athletes should be able to compete without dedicating brain space to constant pube vigilance or the mental gymnastics of having every vulnerable piece of your body on display. Women’s kits should be in service to performance, mentally and physically. If this outfit was truly beneficial to physical performance, men would wear it. This is not an elite athletic kit for track and field. This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or needed to get eyes on women’s sports. I’m queer and I’m attracted to female bodies, but I don’t expect or enjoy seeing female athletes or male athletes put in a position to battle self-consciousness at their place of work. That is not part of the job description. I lived that life and know that excellence is born of unselfconsciousness, of freedom and embodiment of action and instinct. Stop making it harder for half the population @nike @teamusa @usatf."

Biden, It Was YOU!

 Shari Goodman - American Thinker  

It was not President Trump who enabled and allowed Hamas to conduct a massacre in Israel on Oct. 7.  It happened under your watch.  It was YOU! 

"In previous decades, it was customary for sitting presidents to refrain from berating and criticizing the work of previous presidents, but Joe Biden has never been one to engage in human decency.  Thus, from the onset of his presidency, he has relentlessly scapegoated President Trump to deflect criticism of his nearly four years of failed leadership.

"With a presidential election six months away, it is time to highlight Biden's failed policies and lay blame where it belongs: at the feet of the current occupier of the White House.

"It was not President Trump who refused to enforce our immigration laws.  It was YOU!

"It was not President Trump who opened our southern border to 10 million illegals from around the globe.  By erasing President Trump's executive order, worked out with Mexico, to house illegals there, Biden made himself responsible for the entry of drug cartels, criminals, gang members, rapists, and terrorists from enemy countries into our collective home.  It was YOU!  

"It was not President Trump who secretly and illegally flew 325,000 illegals from across the globe to cities across the U.S. at taxpayers’ expense.  It was YOU!

"It was not President Trump who allowed CCP-affiliated military-aged men to enter our collective home illegally.  It was YOU!

"It was not President Trump who erased our energy independence by shutting down the Keystone Pipeline and making us once again energy dependent on foreign sources.  It was YOU!

"It was not President Trump who enriched Russia by removing sanctions he put into place.  It was YOU!" . . .

"It was not President Trump who shut off our domestic supply of energy.  It was YOU!" . . .

Much more here...

And from the comments to this post: "Well stated, except the previous decades part. Obama was the first to blame his predecessor for his own mess." . . .

Shari Goodman is an educator, public speaker, and activist and has written political commentaries for American Thinker, World Net Daily, Israel National News, Renew America, and other publications.

Don't, Don't, Don't – RedState

2022 Biden to Putin - "Don't. Don't. Don't."
2023 Biden to Iran - "Don't. Don't. Don't. Don't." pic.twitter.com/maYllKwOtw

— MAZE (@mazemoore) April 13, 2024

He says it like he means it. 

HOLY CRAP: Joe Biden Approved Iran's Assault on Israel 'Within Certain Limits' – PJ Media   "On Saturday, Iran initiated a barrage of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel. Thankfully, most of them were successfully intercepted and caused minimal damage. Of course, in a stunning move, President Biden is pushing Israel not to retaliate. It's hard to imagine why Biden would do that, except when you consider that Joe Biden has been appeasing Iran since his days as Barack Obama's vice president.

"With that in mind, it's also not surprising—though it's still shocking— that Joe Biden not only had prior knowledge of Iran's assault on Israel but also technically gave it the green light under certain conditions, according to a report from the Jerusalem Post." . . .

On Saturday, Iran initiated a barrage of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel. Thankfully, most of them were successfully intercepted and caused minimal damage. Of course, in a stunning move, President Biden is pushing Israel not to retaliate. It's hard to imagine why Biden would do that, except when you consider that Joe Biden has been appeasing Iran since his days as Barack Obama's vice president. . . .

With that in mind, it's also not surprising—though it's still shocking— that Joe Biden not only had prior knowledge of Iran's assault on Israel but also technically gave it the green light under certain conditions, according to a report from the Jerusalem Post.

The Robin Hood Effect

  J.B. Shurk - American Thinker

"There is substantial evidence that such popular nullification of the State’s authority is well underway.  The corrupt FBI and DOJ have taken unprecedented steps to imprison President Trump for the rest of his life.  These Gestapo forces have persecuted Trump’s allies, ordinary conservative voters, Christians, pro-life advocates, and parents attending school board meetings. . . ." 

. . ."When the government is in cahoots with a foreign criminal class and intimidates honest people for noticing, respect for the rule of law vanishes quickly.  Just as an immoral law is no law at all, an unjust legal system requires moral people to seek justice elsewhere.

"Denver, Colorado is the latest crime-supporting enclave to announce that it will defund police and fire departments and divert those critical tax dollars toward services and housing for illegal aliens.  A dispassionate observer might conclude that State agents are involved in a criminal conspiracy meant to keep blue-collar wages low, while sustaining hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballot recipients who may influence public policy by voting illegally.  Democrat politicians in Denver parrot the same Orwellian language used in other crime-sponsoring jurisdictions by insisting that illegal aliens be called “newcomers.”  When government agents employ euphemisms to hide their own criminal activities, honest citizens take note.  Police and fire departments feel the pain of remaining silent while the political class engages in indefensible criminality.  Because venal government agents put the public’s safety at risk, law-abiding citizens learn that they cannot stake their families’ lives on the defunct rule of law.

"The fact that public officials break the law so shamelessly adds to the widespread perception in the United States that elections are rigged.  For decades, American citizens have called for secure elections that ensure that only legally permitted voters cast ballots.  Instead, politicians and election officials in too many states have worked to limit photo identification and signature verification requirements.  They have transformed Election Day into Election Season — providing political operatives the time to collect ballots for weeks both before and after important contests.  And they have taken advantage of COVID hysteria to normalize the use of mail-in ballots." . . .  

Why Iran May Have Just Overplayed Its Hand by Attacking Israel

  RedState

"Overall, though, Iran could be left significantly weakened after this, with other nations in the region looking to capitalize. This isn't World War III. It's not even a regional conflict at this point, and the combined air power of Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom represents a huge technological advantage over anything Iran can put into the sky." . . .

"As RedState reported, Iran launched a large-scale air attack on Israel using drones and ballistic missiles. It represented the biggest escalation from the Islamic Republic against the Jewish state in history, which has long used proxy militias in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen to do its dirty work. This is different, and the response from Israel and possibly the United States will be different, with reports circulating that Israel will retaliate against Iran regardless of whether lives are lost in the current attack."

 Hezb’allah tries to explain away the wipeout of Iran’s attack on Israel - American Thinker

"How will all of this unfold? Those with a heavy isolationist bent are already predicting doom and shouting "World War III" at the top of their lungs. Yet, there's every reason to believe that Iran has severely overplayed its hand. 

"Let's game this out, taking some of the most hysterical suggestions at face value. For example, what are the chances this turns into a "regional war" being fought by multiple state powers against Israel? The answer to that is almost zero. Most of the Arab nations hate the Iranian regime and want to see it falter. Sure enough, instead of offering support to Iran, the Saudis and Jordanians immediately pledged to shoot down any Iranian projectiles and aircraft that violated their airspace. 

"There is no reason to believe any other nation in the Middle East will join Iran in a hot war against Israel. The Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, one of Iran's only true allies in the region, has no capacity to do anything but hold what territory it still has following its civil war. The rest of the Arab nations are mostly aligned against Iran, even if not explicitly. Yes, they make a lot of noise in Arabic about the Palestinian issue, but that's for domestic consumption. When push comes to shove, they aren't putting their necks on the line for Iran. 

"So what happens if Israel and Iran engage in a more protracted war? From the jump, we know Israel isn't going to invade Iran nor does Iran have any ability to invade Israel. That means an air war is the only real possibility, and one that Israel would easily win. Iran's air force is multiple generations behind. We are talking about less than 200 very outdated fighters, with ancient F-14s and Mig-29s being the pinnacle of their technology. American-made F-35s and even older F-15s would have a field day. Does Iran want to engage in such a fight? I tend to doubt it given they know they'd lose everything they have. I bet they want their attack to be the end of this, but Israel may not give them a choice.

"That's where Iran has likely overplayed its hand. The Islamic nation could now see many of its most important strategic sites hit, including its nuclear facilities. In return, they can only fling low-tech drones and missiles over at Israel, most of which will never make it through. The status quo of its proxy militias launching largely ineffective attacks will also continue." . . . 

"Overall, though, Iran could be left significantly weakened after this, with other nations in the region looking to capitalize. This isn't World War III. It's not even a regional conflict at this point, and the combined air power of Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom represents a huge technological advantage over anything Iran can put into the sky. The Islamic Republic has officially pushed too far to try to save face, and they'll now pay the price. " . . .

Iranians, Palestinians Celebrate on Streets After Iran's Israel Attack—but the Hangover May Be Rough

"As I wrote earlier, it was hard to believe that in the face of the threat of an attack on Israel from Iran, Joe Biden insisted on going to vacation to his beach house. I don't know what it is that they do for him there, but Biden must be pretty desperate for it--or in complete disregard for everything important--when he behaves that way." Nick Arama.

Hezb’allah tries to explain away the wipeout of Iran’s attack on Israel - American Thinker  Thomas Lifson

The stunning unity of the response to Iran’s attack, with U.S., British, and even Jordanian aircraft shooting down the mass attack of drones is being viewed through the other end of the telescope here. Hezb’allah is pointing Israel haters, especially those in the U.S., toward even stronger attempts to undermine political support for Israel.

Open Source Intel reported: 

 . . ."The U.S. played the biggest instrumental role in eliminating the bulk of drones, giving Israel a breathing room because engaging 170 drones was no easy task. At least 10-25% percent would have penetrated and impacted in Israel.

According to reports, the U.S alone shot down at least 70 out of the 170 drones. They used air defence in ships and using jets in air-to-air combats. Shooting drones with jets isn't hard, just expensive. Whatever remained was shot down on the way over Jordan by Jordan, then by Israeli jets. The number of Israeli jets airborne in defense mode was almost on par with the numbers of drones that remained as threat. That's saturating defense. As for ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, the sight of the impact of those 3 was beautiful. It's a dream come true. . . .

Female Dance Squad Ordered to Remove Shirts Because American Flag Colors 'Offensive' to Leftists

Somehow, they might have worded the title a bit better. TD

 The Lid (lidblog.com)

"An all-female dance troupe in Seattle claims they were told to remove their American flag-themed shirts because they made leftists feel “triggered and unsafe.”

"The Borderline Dance team claims they were told by the Rain Country Dance Association, a gay group that sponsors the Emerald City Hoedown in Seattle, that they were not welcome because of their red, white, and blue uniforms.

“ 'Unfortunately, what our team was met with upon arrival was that our flag tops were offensive to some of the convention goers,” the dance group wrote on their Facebook page. “There was a small group that felt ‘triggered and unsafe.'”

"Co-captain Lindsay Stamp told talk show host Jason Rantz that they were shocked by how they were treated.

“ 'At first we were told we would just be boo’d, yelled at and likely many of them would walk out,” the group’s Facebook post explained. “This did not deter us. But then we were given an ultimatum. Remove the flag tops and perform in either street clothes (which most didn’t bring as they traveled there in their uniforms) or they would supply us with ECH shirts from years past… Or, don’t perform at all, which effectively was asking us to leave.' ” . . .

“Doonesbury” vs. Hamas -

  The Lid (lidblog.com)

Portion of comic strip shown here:

. . . "In the latest Sunday installment of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Doonesbury strip, a fictional anti-terrorist fighter—known as “the Red Rascal”—bursts into the bedroom of an actual Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, who is living in Qatar.

"The cartoon shows Haniyeh enjoying luxurious accommodations and identifies him as “one of three Hamas leaders worth billions, who enriched themselves with donor money intended for impoverished Gazans!”

"One of America’s most beloved newspaper comic strips has dared to poke fun at Hamas. Get ready for controversy!

"In the accommodations, he identifies him as “one of three Hamas leaders worth billions who enriched themselves with donor money intended for impoverished Gazans!”

"Garry Trudeau, the writer and artist of Doonesbury, has dared to acknowledge a fact about the Hamas leadership that most of the mainstream news media prefer to ignore." . . .

Joe Biden’s Middle East Mess

 Joe Biden’s Middle East Failure - POLITICO   The Biden administration thought it could ignore the bad in the Middle East. Now his Middle East doctrine is collapsing.

"Sure enough, over the past few weeks, the Gulf states have not closed ranks with an Israel fighting a growing list of Iranian proxies. They are nervous that the Gaza war could spiral into broader regional conflict."

"Speak to any Israeli official these days, and there is a good chance they will mention the conceptzia. The term traces back to the commission of inquiry after the surprise Yom Kippur war of 1973, a way to describe not just operational failures of intelligence but conceptual ones. Now as then, Israel’s vaunted security services had built policy on a flawed assumption: this time, that Hamas was focused on preserving its grip on Gaza and had lost interest in large-scale confrontation with Israel. The concept made sense — until Hamas proved it grimly wrong by killing more than 1,400 Israelis on Oct. 7.

"By now everyone in Washington has had a chuckle at Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser, who said in a speech on Sept. 29 that “the Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades.” His words aged poorly, to say the least. But they should have raised eyebrows even if Hamas had not carried out its violent attack." . . .

. . ."Everything else was shunted aside. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was ignored. Key diplomatic posts went unfilled: The administration did not bother to appoint an ambassador to Egypt until this March. Last year I asked an American diplomat to describe his country’s Syria policy. He shrugged and laughed. His job, he said, was to keep the Middle East off Biden’s desk, echoing words I have heard repeatedly from American officials since 2021." . . .

Biden Insisted on Vacation in Face of Threat From Iran, Now He's Rushing Back. Something Is Up. – RedState   . . ."He's spent almost 40 percent of his vacation, with nine trips to Delaware already in 2024.  But in the face of everything that was coming down, this was an incredibly selfish and bad move." 

"I'd like to think he was shamed into it by the reaction." 

"But that doesn't sound good. Anything that makes him come rushing back, when he's so insistent on vacation, is likely to be something major going on. Either it's intel/movement by Iran or Israel tipped them off they're about to make a big move, and things are going to get very hot." 

Laura Loomer asks:  How many drones do you think Iran bought with the $16 billion @JoeBiden just sent them? "Biden’s foreign policy has failed. Iran never would have attacked Israel under a Trump Presidency. They would have been too scared to FAFO.

 ‘You got a win. Take the win’: Joe Biden tells Netanyahu; The Telegraph 

However, Israel has said the “campaign is not over yet”.

 "American forces intercepted 70 drones and at least three ballistic missiles, according to CNN, while Mr Biden also said that US support for Israel was “ironclad”.

“ 'You got a win. Take the win,” Mr Biden reportedly told Mr Netanyahu, adding that the US will not participate in any offensive operations. Mr Netanyahu reportedly said that he understands the US’s position." . . .