ISRAEL: Hamas Got Played May 18, 2021: The latest Hamas war on Israel is the first in seven years. Many Hamas leaders doubted that they were ready for another offensive because the Israelis had continued to outsmart Hamas, especially after the 2014 attack. That one turned out to be a major embarrassment for Hamas, which proceeded much the same way as the current offensive. Hamas had hoped that a closer relationship with Iran would enable them to more effectively plan another offensive. In retrospect, depending on Iran may not be so wise given the number of times Israel has outsmarted Iran in the last few years. Hamas rivals in the West Bank seem to have appreciated the Iranian fall from grace more quickly and used it against Hamas.
IRAN: Desperate Times, Desperate Gambles May 13, 2021: The IRGC (Islamic Revolution Guard Corps), whose main job is to keep the religious dictatorship in power, has been accused of seeking to expand its own control over Iran. That latest example of this Iran offering to free foreigners in return for returning billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian cash held in foreign countries because of the economic sanctions. The IRGC is apparently even offering to trade its presence in Yemen for decisive Saudi assistance in getting the sanctions lifted. This appears to be a good thing for Iran, but many Iranian leader see this as another effort by the IRGC to expand its power in Iran. This power was demonstrated when the sanction were lifted in 2015 via a treaty. Most Iranians expected the influx of cash to improve their lives. It didn’t, mainly because the IRGC for a lot of that cash to expand its military operations overseas.