In the latest chapter of the Middle East saga, Iran and its proxies have been on a relentless campaign of chaos, flinging missiles and drones like confetti at a political parade. The latest targets include hotels and airports in countries such as Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. One particularly daring strike involved a drone hitting Baghdad’s Al-Rasheed Hotel, a place many diplomats frequently call their temporary home. For those who assume hotel life can’t get any worse than bad room service, imagine a drone knocking at your window instead of the bellhop.
In the meantime, at Dubai International Airport, Iranian drones are making an even bigger fuss than the usual tourist hordes. Flights have been disrupted, likely displeasing travelers who just want to grab a seat in economy class and complain about the lack of legroom. It’s a small miracle no passengers have been seen trying to swat drones like oversized mosquitoes yet.
Meanwhile, in northern Israel, Hezbollah wounds at least seven people with rockets, which feels a bit like poking a sleeping bear, considering Israel’s already been busy with a ground operation in southern Lebanon. And over in Jerusalem, debris from an intercepted missile damaged areas just a stone’s throw from the holy sites where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected. The irony of chaos so near to a site symbolic of peace seems lost on the instigators.
President Trump, in his typical fashion, is applying pressure to open the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global chokepoint. Trump’s looking for a little international teamwork here, hoping France jumps in with both feet first. Britain, however, seems a bit more cautious. They’ve acknowledged the capability of their underwater drones, perhaps envisioning a challenging round of “Battleship” against Iranian mines.
The U.S., for its part, is busy showing why they remain one of the most formidable military presences on the planet. Operation Epic Fury is living up to its name, having sunk over a hundred ships and hit more than 7,000 targets. The U.S. strategy is now not just about depleting Iran’s missile stockpiles but also cutting off the ability to restock. Meanwhile, back-channel talks with Iran seem ongoing, but President Trump isn’t quite ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya at the negotiation table. Make no mistake, the military machinery will keep humming along, a testament to the old adage: “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” or in this case, a very large, very vigilant military.
