Day 28, Multiple conflicting and cooperative objectives.

 FICTITIOUS PEACE TALKS TO CALM MARKETS?

HOW LONG CAN ISRAEL CONTINUE?

It is now 4 weeks of war with Iran, it does not appear that the end is anywhere in the immediate future nor is there a concrete indication as to the outcome. According to the U.S. the war has been won and peace talks are underway. Iran denies either of those assertions and continues to control the traffic through the strait of Hormuz. Israel is not making any public statements, but is fighting in Lebanon and continues to attack Iran, while absorbing damage every day. It appears this war may continue for a long time and it may very well be one of those situations with periods of peace and then renewed conflict stretching for years.

Both Israel and the U.S. want regime change in Iran, Israel wants an end to the ability of Iran to pose a threat to Israel. Iran would like an end to Israel's' ability to threaten them. While Iran has sustained very serious damage they seem to have the ability to withstand a lot of punishment, Israel, on the other hand is small and it will soon become evident that they are losing the ability to defend themselves from missile attacks. This, coupled with a frozen economy and signs that the IDF is encountering internal strains from continuous war, may be the first to need to end this conflict.

Israel's long term objective is greater Israel and becoming the dominant power in the region. The U.S. desires to control the oil resources of the region, this war with Iran has in effect been going on since 1979 when Iran nationalized it oil resources. This creates a cooperating objective between Israel and the U.S. If the U.S. can obtain control over Iran's oil it will be a powerful lever over eastern Asia. If it can gain control of all the Gulf oil it may be the key to keeping its dominate position globally. Control of Mideast oil would be a severe blow to the BRICS economic union that threatens to become the dominate global economic power in the future. This is the ultimate goal of the neo con faction in the U.S., Global hegemony.

Of course, Iran desires to maintain its Sovereignty and control its own economic future.  

While, so far, this war is limited to the U.S. Israel and Iran there are massive other interests at work. It can be expected that they will assert those interests if this war shows signs of going against their interests.

While no one is talking about this, the U.S. is limited by its ability to replace all this ordinance and economic realities at home. Israel can not take this punishment for an indefinite time. If Iran can survive as an Sovereign state, it will be a win, at least for now.