From a friend in an email group I belong to, on the possibility of all-out war between Israel and Iran:  “It is a bit like Guns of August, watching them all trip forward one stumble at a time towards a major war.”

From another emailer, who I don’t agree with on all points:  “In my opinion, Netanyahu has fallen into the same trap as George W after 9/11.  Intelligence failures by both directly led to horrific terrorist attacks on their own people.   … George W lashed out at Iraq after 9/11 and now Netanyahu is fixated on Iran.  I am no fan of Iran or its proxies, but as with Iraq in 2003, I think Netanyahu’s strategy is fraught with danger.  War has a way of taking on a life of its own – once unleashed, it rarely can be controlled.”

And from yet another emailer: “Netanyathu’s true motive may be the Iranian nuclear program. The Iranian missile strike on Israel was what he was working towards.”

Fyi: I don’t like Netanyahu and most of his pre-Oct. 7 policies. The only tool he seems to know is a hammer. Still, Iran crossed a clear line when it fired hundreds of missiles at Israel proper, escalating its previous proxy war against Israel. Until recently, the two sides were indirectly sparring (to put it mildly), largely using third parties, spies and assassins against one another. That changed this week. … I hope Israel finds a way to forcibly respond, if it must, in a way that averts all-out war. But I’m not sure I trust Netanyahu’s ability, or desire, to find that way.