Geoff Bennett:
We're going to keep our focus on the risk of a regional conflict in the Middle East as tensions with Iran increase.
For that, we turn to Paul Salem, the president and CEO of the Middle East Institute. That's a Washington-based nonpartisan think tank.
Thank you for being with us.
Mr. Salem, how do you interpret the comments from Benny Gantz, Israel's former defense minister, current member of Israel's war cabinet, who is clearly warning about the potential for military escalation against Hezbollah?
Paul Salem, President and CEO, Middle East Institute: Well, there's been tension between Israel and Hezbollah from the first day of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
Recent reporting indicated that the U.S. talked Israel down from a preemptive attack on Hezbollah early in those days. This tension is coming back center stage. And the Israelis have made it very clear to the Americans and to the world that they want some resolution to parts of the situation on their northern border with Hezbollah and Lebanon.
Otherwise, they will take military action, or at least that's what they're threatening.
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