Israeli analysts look at the fall of Aleppo and conclude that America "has no real say in the next chapter of [Syria's] horrific war." Instead, the US Democratic party is using Syrian bloodshed to delegitimize the President-elect. One purpose? To prevent a resolution in Syria that would trump Obama's failure.

The war in Syria is moving south, toward Jerusalem, and with an international coalition of stunning strength. That coalition includes the the first-ever Shiite army which is also a foreign legion. Expected to number 50-70,000, it is shifting the focus of soldiers from political and tribal allegiances to a single religious identity.

According to Moscow, Russia's Air Force and Navy launched a “large-scale” operation against “terrorists” in the Syrian provinces of Idlib and Homs Tuesday, 15 November. In fact, the new offense is fairly low key. Israel's intelligence news service, DEBKAfile, explains.

Yesterday and today, Russia lit a number of fuses in the complicated powder keg in Syria. Explosions, hopefully kept under control, are set for sometime tonight or early tomorrow. With assurances from Russia's PM Medvedev, Jerusalem is keeping a careful watch.

The Kuznetzov Group of Russian warships has arrived. Positioned between Crete and the Turkey-Syrian coast, it begins a "major aeronatics exercise" tomorrow. The transparent goals are to rattle like a snake in the face of NATO and, while the US transitions to a new President, maximize military operations in Syria. As Russia's Prime Minister comes to Jerusalem tomorrow, one message to the Jewish State has to be, "buckle up."