US Proxy Wars: Israel Gears Up for Gaza Incursion as Initiative Passes to Russia in Ukraine

Update on the conflict in Ukraine Middle East for October 17, 2023 - Russia continues overturning what negligible gains Ukraine made during its over 4 month-long offensive in Zaporozhye; - Russian operations in Avdeevka continue, however no major “offensive” has been announced by Russian military or political leaders; - Attempts by Russia to exploit possible opportunities along the line of contact are measured, with limitations identified by Russian commanders in stark contrast to Ukraine’s stand-and-fight approach; - In the Middle East, fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon as Israeli military operations continue to target Gaza; - Israel has taken action to compel Palestinians to evacuate from northern parts of Gaza in what is likely an attempt to seize the territory and prevent a future return by Palestinians to the area; - Israel’s continued violation of international law and belligerence toward its neighbors is an unsustainable policy that undermines its own self-preservation, like most US proxies; - Russia and China are in a better position now than ever to advance the two-state solution and are creating a region in which this solution can actually materialize; References: Politico - Putin hammers Ukraine with West distracted by Middle East crisis (October 16, 2023): VOA - Russian Military Operations Slacken Near Strategic Town of Avdiivka (OOctober 16, 2023): TASS - Russian forces continuing to implement master plan during special op — Shoigu (October 16, 2023): CNN - Russia’s jamming of US-provided rocket systems complicates Ukraine’s war effort (May 2023): Defense News - Lockheed wins $ guided rockets contract (April 2023): Times of Israel - Hezbollah shoots at IDF posts, fires missile at tank in fresh Lebanon border clashes (October 16, 2023): The Telegraph - Israeli tanks with Ukraine-style ‘anti-drone cages’ line up on Gaza border (October 16, 2023): Haaretz - Hezbollah Anti-tank Fire Causing Most IDF Casualties in Lebanon (August 2006): NYT - A Disciplined Hezbollah Surprises Israel With Its Training, Tactics and Weapons (August 2006): RAND Corporation - Extending Russia (2019): CSIS - The First Battle of the Next War: Wargaming a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan (2023): Brookings Institution - Which Path to Persia? (2009): Where to Find My Work: Website: Telegram: Twitter: Odysee (YouTube alternative): @LandDestroyer:8 Rumble (YouTube alternative): Weibo: ไบรอัน แฟนคลับ (Facebook): Line Group: Gab: VK (Facebook alternative): How to Support my Work (and thank you!): Buy Me A Coffee: Patreon: PromptPay: 0851547235 Cryptocurrency Donations: Ethereum (ETH): 0xee6ed93c3adc474450011e9af22939a0b9b312c7 BitCoin (BTC): 1AfGnbmHxA6cy9YKUSxysXvpJPyecpBKrr Monero (XMR): 845TCXx3pchSBXuDL7FHG679gbWD2wkHS6MJxuq7jFVsVFj7T6xsry747uhhGZUdkaRXbbrMfo5c8RnGfzGZ13KxQUdHVLR