Obama's First International Challenge Awaits

It didn't take long. Israel preempted a Palestinian terror attack in Gaza, killing five Hamas thugs as they were preparing to infiltrate Israel via a tunnel across the border. Hamas responded by launching 40+ kassam rockets and mortars into Israel, some slamming into Ashkelon and the Negev.

How did this latest incident happen?

On Tuesday night seven IDF soldiers were wounded and six gunmen were reported killed in clashes which erupted when IDF special forces entered Gaza in order to blow up a tunnel dug by Hamas terrorists for the purpose of kidnapping IDF soldiers.

The attacks by the terrorists continue. Three Israelis have been injured from the kassam and mortar attacks, including a girl being treated for shock.

The strategic hudna in place for several months has had tense moments before, but this is one of the largest attack on both sides since the hudna was declared. It's also the first since the US voted for its next President. This is just a taste of what Obama will have to look forward to from day one.

UPDATE:
In a related note, President Elect Obama begins his security briefings along with Vice President Elect Biden.

The briefings typically last 45 minutes to an hour, but Obama's initial one is expected to be longer. A U.S. intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity said Joe Biden, the vice president-elect, also will begin receiving briefings this week.

The president's daily brief that Obama will receive is mostly written by the Central Intelligence Agency and will include the most critical overnight intelligence for the president. They sometimes dig deeply into a specific topic to give the president an in-depth understanding.

UPDATE:
AP runs this story attempting to highlight the crises facing Obama, but it comes off as little more than an op-ed.

Obama's vision for sweeping foreign policy changes could have a profound effect on the nation's quest to hold onto its role as sole superpower.

The change in course includes globally popular choices such as a phased withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq and strong action on climate change, an issue that many say was neglected by the Bush administration.

Other changes Obama plans are more controversial.

He wants to increase U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan, which he views as the frontline in the battle against al-Qaida. And he has struck a more conciliatory stance with nations shunned as pariahs under the Bush administration.

I'm sure Iran and the terrorists in al Qaeda are cheering at the possibility of US withdrawal from Iraq. Appeasement with enemies of the West and of all things that Americans hold dear - the very notions of liberty and freedom - are at stake when you seek to hold talks with those who despise all those same concepts. That means meetings without preconditions with the likes of Hugo Chavez, Raul Castro, and the Iranians will be spectacular failures.

Besides, the President of the US isn't running a popularity contest. He's supposed to be doing what is best for the US to protect its national security. Doing the right thing isn't always the popular thing. Obama will learn that lesson very quickly. So will his supporters.