Are we at war? Update Khamenei dead!

Major combat operations are under way.

Not that Iran poses any true threat at this point to the United States. They will bomb some selected targets and possibly hope that individuals are willing to engage in other types of terrorist activity. But there is no real Iranian military to strike any fear in anyone's heart here. We are beating up an already beaten-up weakling.

The hope for Iran, I would assume, is that other Muslim nations rise up and defend them, but who is there really. Other than the heavily militarily diluted Middle Easter Arab states, there isn't much back up. You have larger countries like Indonesia and Pakistan, but I would be shocked if either would be willing to engage in an open confrontation with the United States.

Moreover, it would seem that Iran has been actually attacking some of their neighbors and possibly alienating them in the meantime. Saudi Arabia has now offered to allow US into their bases after getting hit by Iranian missiles last night. Not sure what the logic was there, but then again, when have the mullahs ever been concerned with being logical.

So far, there has been tepid approval from some of our allies or at worst silence. I might expect China or Russia to condemn the actions, but I doubt they are eager to become involved.

Lastly, it would appear that the initial attacks were substantial and quite devastating. The counter strikes hit places that were empty and so far, there has been no US casualties. This feels well planned and once again presents as a very competent military action, something we have not seen in some time. I guess when you start treating your military like people who might have to go to war, rather than treating them like a woke sideshow, you are better prepared for things like this.

Update: There are confirmed reports that the Supreme leader of Iran has been killed in airstrikes. I am not sure what to make of this. Will this further deflate the Iranians in power, or will he become a martyr that creates sympathy and support for Iran? Time will tell, but at this point I am sort of glad he is dead.