In that reading of the situation, Israel's apparent trouncing of Hezbollah in recent weeks has diminished its capacity to deter the Jewish state from striking Iran's nuclear facilities. Other experts, however, warn that Hezbollah's muted response to Israeli attacks is in part because it's conserving its strength to safeguard Iran.
Before the thrashing, which began on Sept. 17 and included the assassination of Hezbollah's entire upper echelon including its leader Hassan Nasrallah, the Shi'ite group was seen as a powerful platform for a retaliation by Iran against Israel. It was seen as potentially offsetting Israel's aerial superiority and missile defense systems.
Offensive action by Iran, which on Tuesday fired scores of ballistic missiles at Israel, in the second such barrage this year--in support of its proxies may have also increased the likelihood of an Israeli attack, giving it urgency and added justification. READ MORE
