(Snafu: another nice catch, sanicklaus)

The UN resolution as originally presented by Madame Clinton never had any chance of passing. The only question is, if a watered down version is allowed by Russia, will Western forces take that as fiat for invasion despite specific language that forbids it? That question makes it unlikely that Russia will accept any version.

I cannot imagine Assad stepping down without a military incursion into Syria. I’m not sure the U.S. or the West or an associated Arab nation will make that move without UN authorization, although it is certainly possible. Iraq.

But I’m thinking it will probably take something else, perhaps someplace else, to get the next Middle East war rolling.

Its suppositions of Iranian capabilities are at loggerheads with what most sources with a higher confidence level have been reporting.

But clearly, it is the flavor of the moment for the Obama administration. And the Israelis are spotlighting this report at the same time Washington is. Both Washington and Tel Aviv want this report very visible. So whether the report has merit or not, it is definitely a message.

One take on that message may be is that Obama is backing off on Iran. Another take is that Obama is backing off on Iran, and the Israelis are smiling on the report outwardly… but listening to the former IDF commander who today told the Israeli government they should be prepared to preemptively strike Iran with or without the United States.

And another take is that war is subterfuge, and putting this report in the news is an effort to minimize the true meaning of the huge buildup of U.S. and NATO countries’ naval forces in the Sea of Oman.