Two videos regarding the killing in Iran of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas Political Chief. One shows John Brennan discussing it starting around 5:00. The next is the press briefing by Lindsey Graham, who discusses pre-authorizing military action against Iran to prevent their breakout to possession of nuclear weapons. He practically asks Israel to destroy one of Iran's refineries as a show of financial intimidation.

Also, Israel killed Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. These two strikes invite wider conflict although partly provoked by the recent shelling in Northern Israel that killed 12 children.

The concern comes from the timing of these killings. As noted, the talks in progress to rescue the hostages appear to be scuttled (or sabotaged). The Lindsey presentation could signal a Trump initiative to foment war in the Middle East ahead of the election. Presumably, all the news will be bad and give the initiative back to Trump. Trump may well have a 'deal' with Netanyahu to scuttle the democrats profile. The actual instructions could be coming from Putin's GRU on what Netanyahu might want to do to help Trump. Strange bedfellows and all that.