Shaken, Not Stirred: Iran's Missile Gambit and the Qatar Kerfuffle

A Martini and a Missile: Setting the Scene

Right let's cut to the chase. Word's out of a bit of a dust up in the sandbox specifically Qatar. Seems our chaps at Al Udeid Air Base got a rather unwelcome visit from some Iranian fireworks. Explosions over Doha naturally brought to mind a time when I had to deal with a similar threat near a casino... much better odds there I assure you.

License to Launch (and Intercept)

The Qatari Defense Ministry claims their air defenses were on par intercepting the missiles with a flourish. No deaths or injuries reported which is more than I can say for some of my evenings. But the fact that the attack happened is a bit like a Bond villain revealing their plan in the first act – needlessly theatrical and likely hiding something. And the base in Iraq also was attacked they seem to be on the war path.

Retaliation is a Dish Best Served Cold (and with B 2 Bombers)

Apparently this whole shebang is a response to our B 2 bombers and cruise missiles having a rather enthusiastic chat with some Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind but it seems to be the way things are done these days. Reminds me of that time I had to dismantle a SPECTRE doomsday device; much preferred that to these diplomatic tangos.

Oil's Well That Ends… Well?

Ah the price of crude. Always a player in these geopolitical games isn't it? News of the attack sent the price of oil tumbling. It's enough to make one wish for the simpler days of defusing nuclear bombs at least then you knew where you stood. I had to give up my Vodka Martinis for a while because of an oil crisis once... it was indeed a dark time.

Situation Room Shenanigans

Trump Hegseth Caine – the usual suspects holed up in the White House Situation Room glued to screens like they're watching the latest Bond film. Trump even paid Al Udeid a visit in May probably trying to decide which martini the troops prefer. Meanwhile Qatar's Foreign Ministry is flapping its gums on X decrying the attack as a violation of sovereignty which is what you say before threatening to respond "proportionally." I suppose "proportionally" doesn't involve exploding pens this time such a shame.

The World Is Not Enough (But Hopefully Qatar Is)

So here we are again. Another day another global hotspot threatening to boil over. Let's hope cooler heads prevail and perhaps someone offers everyone a stiff drink. After all as I always say 'Bond. James Bond.' And sometimes all it takes is a name to calm the waters. Or you know a well placed explosion. But let's not dwell on that.