The snap nomination of OC Southern Command Maj. Gen, Yoav Galant as Israel's 20th chief of staff was necessary - not just to dispel the climate of intrigue among competing generals, but to pull the high command together in view of the war preparations gathering momentum in Tehran, Damascus, Beirut - and even in al Qaeda in Yemen.

Sunday, Iran unveiled a 1,000-kilometer drone armed with four cruise missiles. The Syrian army is on the ready.