The Intelligence from The Economist Timed bombs: Israel’s pre-election attack on Iran
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Oct 28, 2024 
Greg Karlstrom, The Economist's Middle East correspondent, discusses Israel's recent military action against Iran and its surprising limited scope amidst election considerations. Henry Tricks, the U.S. technology editor, shares insights on how AI can revolutionize customer service, balancing innovation with skepticism. Mike Jakeman analyzes the merger prospects between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, exploring the financial upheaval in traditional golf and the implications for players and fans alike.
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Limited Israeli Attack on Iran
- Israel officially acknowledged its first attack on Iran, targeting air defense facilities and weapons factories.
- This attack, though significant, was more limited than anticipated, avoiding nuclear facilities or key economic targets like oil terminals.
US Election Influence
- Israel's limited attack on Iran may be attributed to the US political calendar and pressure from the Biden administration.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu likely avoided escalating the conflict to prevent negative impacts on the US election and potential gas price spikes.
Iran's Response
- Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, delegated the decision of retaliation for the Israeli attacks to subordinates.
- This suggests a potential internal debate and a lack of immediate urgency to respond, though Iran possesses the capability.