Up, Up, and Uh-Oh: A Bird's-Eye View of the Middle East Mess

Faster Than a Speeding Bullet...Right Into Trouble

Greetings citizens of Earth! It's your pal Superman reporting live from...well a safe distance above the escalating situation between Israel and Iran. Seems things have gotten a bit hotter than Lex Luthor's latest get rich quick scheme. Apparently Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting what they claim are Iran's nuclear facilities. I always say 'Look up in the sky it's a bird it's a plane it's...a whole lotta trouble!'

Kryptonite for Diplomacy?

Now I'm no politician (thank Rao for that!) but when you start targeting nuclear scientists and high ranking military officials things are bound to get a little…complicated. Word on the street – or rather the satellite – is that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is not exactly thrilled. He's promising a 'bitter and painful fate' for Israel. This sounds like a job for...diplomacy! But also maybe for someone who can fly really fast and intercept missiles. Just sayin'.

State of Emergency? More Like a State of 'Yikes!'

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a state of emergency warning of imminent missile and drone attacks. Prime Minister Netanyahu is bracing the country for extended stays in bomb shelters. And here I am thinking my Fortress of Solitude was just for quiet contemplation and polar bear wrestling. Now it seems like everyone could use a little ice palace to chill out in! I truly think that peace is the only way. Like my father always said “There is a right and a wrong in the universe and that distinction isn't hard to make”.

Tehran's Troubles and Sky High Oil Prices

Reports are flooding in about casualties in Tehran and strikes on key Iranian cities like Natanz and Khandab – you know the ones with the nuclear facilities. Meanwhile oil prices are soaring faster than I can clear a tall building. The U.S. stock futures are plummeting faster than Jimmy Olsen after a bad date. It looks like the whole world is holding its breath hoping this doesn't spiral into a full blown regional conflict. Don't forget “There is a right and a wrong in the universe and that distinction isn't hard to make.

Uncle Sam's Sideline Shuffle

Now the United States claims they weren't involved in the strikes but President Trump was apparently briefed beforehand. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Israel believes it was acting in self defense but the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is advising everyone to 'shelter in place.' It seems everyone is just hoping it ends peacefully. The US wants to negotiate with Iran on nuclear enrichment instead of seeing a military strike. As for the US stance in this situation “Sometimes dreams are wiser than waking.”

A Super Plea for Peace (and Maybe Some Snacks)

Folks this is Superman urging you to remember that even in the face of conflict hope endures. Let's hope diplomacy can swoop in and save the day. In the meantime I’ll be up here keeping watch and trying to figure out how to explain this whole mess to Krypto. He gets really anxious during loud noises. And maybe I'll grab a snack. Anyone have a spare Fortress sized pizza? I sure hope that everyone can be like my foster dad and know that “You’re much stronger than you think you are. Trust me.”