Day 838 - US amasses firepower in region amid Iranian tension

16 snips

Jan 21, 2026

Emanuel Fabian, a military correspondent focused on Israeli defense and regional security, shares critical insights on rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran. He discusses the recent buildup of American military assets in the region, including F-15s and an aircraft carrier. Fabian details Israel's consistent strikes against Hezbollah and the challenges Lebanon faces in disarming the group. He also highlights a troubling 27% increase in settler violence and its implications, amidst a decline in Palestinian terrorism.

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INSIGHT

US Builds Dual-Use Military Posture

The US is building both offensive and defensive military power in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.
Emanuel Fabian says the deployments give President Trump options while preparing for potential Iranian retaliation against the US and Israel.

INSIGHT

Past Buildups Show Repeating Pattern

Similar force buildups have occurred before, notably after October 7 and ahead of the June escalation.
Fabian notes past deployments (THAAD, carrier moves) show a repeating pattern that may or may not lead to direct strikes.

INSIGHT

Daily Strikes Against Hezbollah Continue

Israel conducts near-daily strikes against Hezbollah operatives across Lebanon, viewing many actions as immediate threats.
Fabian reports over 400 Hezbollah operatives have been killed since the November 2024 ceasefire, averaging about one a day.

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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Following Iran's foreign minister's direct threat against the US, Fabian reports on the buildup of potential US offensive and defensive firepower in the region, including an aircraft carrier and fighter jet squadrons.

As the IDF continues its nearly daily strikes against Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon, Fabian discusses Israel's tacit agreement with the US that allows it to act against anything it considers an immediate threat, and the Lebanese government's ongoing efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

The IDF reported a 27% rise in settler violence in the West Bank in 2025, says Fabian, who breaks down elements of the report, including the rise in the severity of the settler attacks alongside the decrease in Palestinian terrorism, attributed to the army's sustained offensive activity against terror cells.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

US Central Command announces arrival of F-15 squadron in Mideast amid tensions with Iran

IDF: Settler violence rose by 27% in 2025, severe attacks spiked by over 50%

IDF targets Hezbollah tunnels, rocket launch sites in Lebanon

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IMAGE: In this Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, photo made available by U.S. Navy, a helicopter lifts off of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as it transits the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln sent to the Mideast in May over tensions with Iran transited the narrow Strait of Hormuz for the first time on Tuesday. The ship previously had been in the Arabian Sea outside of the Persian Gulf. (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Stephanie Contreras/U.S. Navy via AP)

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