A red line crossed in West Asia.

The world must not look away.

13 Jun 2025 may be remembered as the day the world crossed a dangerous threshold. In a sweeping and audacious military operation, Israel launched "Operation Raising Lion", striking Iranian targets in several provinces, including suspected nuclear facilities, air defences and the homes of senior commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It's a sudden and dramatic escalation of a long-simmering shadow war, now brought into open confrontation. Iran responded swiftly, firing missiles at Israeli cities. West Asia and the world have awakened to a new and perilous reality.

The global strikes are immense. Oil prices surged, markets tumbled and geopolitical risk skyrocketed. The fragile world order; already strained by wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Trump's tariffs and economic instability, now faces the threat of a broader regional war with unpredictable consequences.

President Trump's efforts to broker a nuclear deal with Iran are likely dead. His endorsement of the Israeli assault and apocalyptic rhetoric leave little scope for diplomacy. The attack may have unified and hardened Iranian resolve. Europe has called for restraint but words alone may not be enough to pull the region back from the brink.

For PM Netanyahu, this war serves both strategic and political ends. He believes Iran is nearing nuclear capability and seeks to eliminate the threat by brute force. However, there is scant evidence that such actions will bring lasting security. Just as the Gaza campaign failed to destroy Hamas, this attack may only deepen instability. Netanyahu's political survival  appears closely tied to military escalation, especially after narrowly escaping a no-confidence vote and mounting global condemnation over Gaza.

My take

India needs to take the initiative as she is acceptable to both the sides. A quick diplomatic action will break the impasse! And I think PM Modi is destined to be the Man of the Moment!

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Sajish gave me a haircut and good massage.

Walked in front of our house as there was a break in the rain.

Breakfast followed by work.

Went to the Nadan Grandhasala, Viyyoor for the Thrissur PN Panicker Foundation committee meeting.

Limbering up for tomorrow's move.