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Axios, Iran preparing major retaliatory strike from Iraq within days, Israeli intel suggests  “Israeli intelligence suggests the attack is expected to be carried out from Iraq using a large number of drones and ballistic missiles.”

The Cradle, Satellite images show Israel razed over 1,000 buildings in south Lebanon – “At least 200 of the buildings destroyed by Israel were blown up in “controlled demolitions,” a practice the Israeli army has repeatedly used across the Gaza Strip.”

AP, About 8,000 North Korean troops at Ukraine’s border are expected in combat in days, US says,  If NK troops fight in Kursk for Russia, why can’t NATO troops fight in Ukraine for Kyiv? Simple: it may look as though NATO troops killing Russians and vice versa is the same as Ukrainians killing North Koreans and vice versa, but it only looks that way if one fails to appreciate the distinctive character of the nuclear superpowers and their relationship. Putting additional NATO troops in Ukraine (beyond the ~100 already present) is qualitatively different. Putin has found a way to match NATO brinkmanship. For now.

UPI “Blinken, Austin: No evidence Russia is helping North Korea develop ICBMs” – The Ukraine war has certainly set back efforts to contain N.Korea, although continuing emphasis on the goal of complete disarmament is a non-starter in any case. (BTW: The article asserts that Russia is losing 1200 troops daily. That’s wishful thinking/propaganda. Half that number killed or seriously wounded is more in line with verifiable data – still quite serious.)

“At least 62 soldiers killed and hundreds injured since the start of October.” ~500 IDF troops have been killed since post-10/7/23 offensive operations began. Mideast Eye

“Media Hawks Make Case for War Against Iran,” https://fair.org/home/media-hawks-make-case-for-war-against-iran/ – “The media hawks are flying high, pushing out bellicose rhetoric on the op-ed pages that seems calculated to whip the public into a war-ready frenzy.” Neocons have been talking for a long time about “Real Men Go to Tehran.” Odd it took a Democratic president to enable, provision, and okay the attack. Or, given the pending US election, maybe not so odd.

“Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan’ Is Old Wine in a New Bottle,” https://newsweek.com/zelenskys-victory-plan-old-wine-new-bottle-opinion-1959980 – Yes, there’s nothing new. The new bottle? That might be labeled “Kursk”. 🔹The Kursk incursion gives the impression that Ukraine can retake the offensive in a lasting, decisive way. But the author argues: 🔹 wars are “won on mass. On this metric, the Russians have the advantage. Putin has more fighting-aged men to throw into the cauldron and more bombs to chuck at the problem.” 🔹 Author concedes that material advantage does guarantee victory, but it does guarantee a long war – and this one is a disaster for the world. Also, 🔹despite Ukraine’s counterstrokes, it hasn’t shown the wherewithal to exploit them effectively.