It might be foolhardy to poke the Russian bear, but poking the Lebanese one seems to be a different matter.

Hezbollah is almost unquestionably the world’s most formidable non-state fighting force. Its military capability exceeds that of the armies of many Middle Eastern states, Lebanon among them. Its vast arsenal includes guided missiles that could hit any Israeli city.

Yet the group’s response to days of provocation has been pretty tepid so far.

Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, had repeatedly warned Israel that any airstrikes on its strongholds in southern Beirut would be met with a salvo of rocket strikes on Tel Aviv.

Poster Comment:

Hezbollah is increasing its number of long range missiles. Ditto the Houthis.