There’s still a way back from this, at least for now, if the Hezbollah don’t open up with their missiles. Some fire from Gaza is probably in the cards. But that won’t be enough, provided nothing further happens, to touch off the magazine. But if heavy missile fire comes in from the North, then lordy, we’re in a world of pain. What Washington should do now is make calls tout de suite. But what are they going to say? ‘Assad, keep your pecker in your pants or else I’ll complain to the Security Council?’ I hope it’s more persuasive than that. Anyway, they need to put the ice on it quick.

It’s about 3 am in Chicago and near enough that on the East Coast. Here’s the proverbial 3am call for good old Hillary and Barack Obama to field. Let’s hope they are up to it.