SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:48 P.M. ET:

PLEA IN TUCSON – Jared Loughner, accused of shooting Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson as part of a rampage that killed six and injured thirteen, will plead guilty to murder and attempted murder, according to Fox.  He will not enter an insanity defense.  If the court accepts the plea and an accompanying deal, Loughner will almost certainly receive a life sentence.  But acceptance is not certain.

COMING OUR WAY – Iran has test fired a new, more accurate, short-range missile capable of striking targets in the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil supply route, and bases in neighboring countries.  Iran's announcement is clearly a threat directed at U.S. naval targets and countries that may be tempted to join in an attack on Iran's nuclear program.  Iran has been vigorous in building its conventional strength in recent months, as it continues to stall in negotiations over its nuclear development. 

SYRIA – Not too many people seem terribly interested, but the combat in Syria is being escalated.  Government forces used planes, artillery and a helicopter gunship to pound rebel positions in the country's largest city of Aleppo.  Fighting is also escalating in the capital of Damascus.  At the same time, Al Qaeda has apparently moved into position in Syria, placing itself amidst the rebels, making it difficult for us to determine who we might support, if President Obama finally gets around to acting.  This is what happens when a power vacuum is created.  We are too late, with the possibility that one awful regime may be replaced by another, just as bad.  Maybe "leading from behind" isn't such a great idea.

August 4, 2012