Dear Linda,

Last Friday, after 20 months of ongoing attacks from Iran and its proxies, Israel finally struck back—hitting Iranian military officers, drone and missile launchers, and nuclear sites.

What caused the IDF to move now? The consensus that Iran was extremely close to having nuclear weapons. In fact, there was concern, they were about ready to add nuclear warheads to the ballistic missiles they have been lobbing at Israel since the weekend.

In retaliation, Iran has send over 400 missiles and 1000 drones into Israel. Amazingly, all of the drones and about 94% of the missiles were intercepted or failed to hit their targets. Some, however, did land in civilian areas, killing 24 Israelis (including Israeli Arabs), and injuring more than 200 people. In addition, missile hits to residential buildings have left over 5000 Israelis homeless.

Yesterday, a newer missile, containing cluster munitions (illegal according to international law) severely damaged a civilian hospital in Be’er Sheva. Luckily, the hospital had been evacuated so there were no deaths.

As bad as the Iranian attacks have been, the thought of what would have happened had these missiles been carrying nuclear warheads is frightening.

While Israel has focused on military targets and warned civilians to leave potential target areas, Iran’s attacks have been almost entirely focused on civilian residential areas, businesses, and a hospital—and they come without warning. In Gaza, hospitals are often used as cover for Hamas headquarters and munitions storage underneath. In Israel, a hospital really is just that—only a hospital.

Since October 7, 2023, the media and world leaders have pushed back on Israel’s efforts to root out Hamas, without noting that Hamas uses its own people as human shields. When Iran hit Israeli civilian targets this week, the response from the world was at best subdued, and in many places nonexistent.

While the world sits back quietly watching and waiting, Israeli forces are working hard to dismantle a threat not just to their country, but to the entire Western world. Donald Trump may send in American forces to help eliminate the nuclear threat. . . or he may just sit back and watch Israel do their thing.

Meanwhile, the Iranian people are watching too. After nearly a half century of a repressive regime that has slaughtered too many of its own people, they’re ready for a new day. Let’s hope the world does not disappoint them.

Let us help your business rise to the top.

linda@popky.com
(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com