In one of those mystery-shrouded events that frequently pop up in world politics, there are reports that the Iranian air force has conducted air strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq. Iran denies that it carried out the strikes, largely because it does not wish to be known for projecting its military power. That fact has undoubtedly unsettled the Israelis who are already on edge about the Iranian nuclear program. Similarly, the Saudis are likely highly concerned as well, and will consider the Iranian strikes as a hegemonic attempt to exert greater control over the Middle East. And the Americans are clearly uncomfortable, now that the US and the Iranians have formed a de facto military alliance against the Islamic State. Interestingly, Iran likely used old American fighter jets to conduct the strikes.
Six months ago, a new center-left government was elected in Sweden. Today, it failed to pass a budget because the anti-immigrant Party, Sweden Democrats, voted against the budget along with the center-right party. As a result, the government has fallen and a new government must be elected in six months. The most likely outcome is that the Sweden Democrats will be politically ostracized by the major parties, but the Swedish electorate may decide that the mainstream parties have lost their efficacy.
The Israeli government was dissolved voluntarily by Prime Minister Netanyahu. He fired two cabinet ministers from parties within his Parliamentary coalition who had criticized actions of the government, including the proposed law defining Israel as a Jewish state. In dismissing the ministers, Netanyahu said: “I will not tolerate any opposition in my government.” Netanyahu obviously believes that the elections will return a Parliament dominated by the parties more sympathetic to his point of view.
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