On Saturday night, US leadership chose to get involved with the Israel/Iranian conflict by dropping six "bunker busting" bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities. No civilians were harmed in a pinpoint, surgical strike.
So Iran retaliated today by launching missiles at an isolated US military base in Qatar, far away from civilian population. They did not launch 60 missiles or 100 missiles. They launched six missiles, to equal the same number of US bombs dropped Saturday night. The missiles were easily intercepted and no one was hurt.
This is not difficult to understand. Iran is a Muslim nation and they had to save face; this is vitally important in Islamic culture. This missile "attack" was a symbolic gesture. It is clear Iran does not want to fight us. I am some moron sitting in my living room in Minnesota... if I know that, surely US leadership knows that too??
Then again, I am probably expecting far too much.
This entire conflict could be de-escalated right now. Iran's "retaliation" is the equivalent to a dog nipping at your heels and then rolling over in a gesture of submission. Now is the time to ask Iran if they are willing to negotiate peace with Israel.
Here's an idea: let's not hang on the precipice of a global conflict and go back to enjoying our summer, shall we?
Of course, that's not what will happen. People are going to die. And we all know it.