Trump's Secret Flight, Iran's Restructure, and a Diplomat's Farewell

A report of Israeli intelligence doubted by US officials, Iran's offensive shift, and a departing ambassador's parting words.

Trump's Secret Flight, Iran's Restructure, and a Diplomat's Farewell — Donald Trump boarded Air Force One in front of cameras near Ankara airport, then was secretly transferred to a backup plane from an area about half a mile away, after Israel provided intelligence about a possible Iranian threat.[^1] American officials questioned the credibility of that intelligence, and some suspected Israel was trying to influence Trump to escalate the war with Iran — a charge Israel denied.[^1] The episode captures a running tension: Israel's warnings, Washington's skepticism. Iran, meanwhile, is restructuring. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued decrees on Monday appointing six military and IRGC officials.[^2] IRGC General Mohammad Reza Naghdi said the changes should allow Iran to not limit itself to repelling attacks.[^3] A Bloomberg report describes the army being rebuilt for offensive operations against Israel.[^3] The shift is doctrinal, not just personnel. Elsewhere, Israel's ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, ends his term. On February 24, 2022, he managed the embassy's evacuation from Kyiv to Lviv; his son was wounded in battles in Israel while he served 2,000 kilometers away.[^4] "I have seen the war," he says, "the next ambassador may be the one to see peace."[^4] A diplomat's hope, measured against the region's momentum. Likud Coalition Strains: Netanyahu's Promises and the West Bank — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been holding a series of personal meetings with Likud Knesset members since August 9, promising posts to secure loyalty: Avichai Buaron was promised the post of chief of staff, and Almog Cohen a reduction in party seniority.[^1] These gestures come as the party faces internal dissent ahead of the October 27 elections, with Education Minister Yoav Kisch already marking his next government role, telling Maariv he wants "four years" in office.[^2] Meanwhile, the IDF's failure to control violent Jewish extremists in the West Bank has reached a new low, as forces removed illegal structures in Tell but could not confirm when the extremists would be fully removed.[^3] IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered reinforcements and a rev