Fighting in the Middle East between Israel, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and Iran dramatically ramped up this week. On Tuesday, Iran launched around 200 missiles at Israel in response to the assassination of longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last week. With the help of the U.S., Israel was able to defend against most of the Iranian airstrikes and prevent significant damage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate, while Iranian officials have warned of more airstrikes should Israel do so. Ben Samuels, U.S. correspondent for Haaretz, says the events show just how little control the Biden administration has over what happens next in the widening conflict.
And in headlines: President Biden and Vice President Harris surveyed damage from Hurricane Helene in separate visits to the southeast, a newly unsealed court filing gives the public the most detailed picture yet of former President Trump’s “private criminal conduct” in the lead up to the Jan. 6 insurrection, and a federal appeals court says betting on U.S. elections can resume
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