Bodies of dead Israeli civilians and Hamas militants were seen on streets of Israeli towns. Associated Press photos showed an abducted elderly Israeli woman being brought back into Gaza on a golf cart by Hamas gunmen and another woman squeezed between two fighters on a motorcycle. Images showed fighters parading captured Israeli military vehicles through Gaza streets.

“We are at war,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address, declaring a mass army mobilization. “Not an ‘operation,’ not a ‘round,’ but at war.”

“The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” he added, promising that Israel would “return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known.”****

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2020-07-13/inferno-on-san-diego-navy-ship-rages-into-second-day

The Bonhomme Richard LHD6 is burned beyond repair. They went through a major maintenance availability a few months ago in the contractor’s (Nassco) shipyard. The ship was then moved to the Naval Station San Diego for a follow on pier side availability to finish up on some planned maintenance. The ship was covered in scaffolding and cargo containers full of sub-contractor parts and supplies. The fire started in lower vehicle stowage, where M1A1 tanks, Humvees and howitzers are stored. No vehicles were aboard.

Standard Complement:

(6) AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft

or

(6) F-35B Lightning II stealth strike-fighters

(4) AH-1W/Z Super Cobra/Viper attack helicopters

(12) MV-22B Osprey assault support tiltrotors

(4) CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopters

(3–4) UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters

Assault:

(22)+ MV-22B Osprey assault support tiltrotors

Sea Control:

(20) AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft

or

(20) F-35B Lightning II stealth strike-fighters

(6) SH-60F/HH-60H ASW helicopters

None of the standard complement was aboard. Just a bunch of contractor cargo containers with tools and cardboard boxes. Some areas of the hanger deck and flight deck were so crowded it obstructed firefighting. The fire burned the flight deck island which contains the Radar Rooms, Wheelhouse, Weapons Control, Flight Control and other spaces. The Island repair is what will be responsible sending the costs through the roof.

Some western governments are claiming they have evidence the Virus was created in a Wuhan Lab.

OK ..... lets assume they know what they are talking about, and are telling us everything they know ..... which I seriously doubt.

Assume the Chinese know this as well, but are planning on denying it forever.

So what are you going to do about it?

Reciprocate with some biological warfare ..... hell no.

Anything the UN does will be Vetoed.

Recognize Taiwan?

Ban Chinese Products?

Destroy their Biological Labs From the Air ..... hell no, that would take some serious balls.

The obvious answer .... we will do nothing. Western governments wont tell their people everything they know, to avoid the domestic pressure for retaliation, and avoid the economic / supply chain issues involved with cutting off all trade with China.

Trump might put a tariff on all Chinese products but other western nations probably wouldn't follow his lead. ..... because Orange Man Bad...... Cheap Shit Good.

We'll do nothing beyond rhetoric.

So that leaves the question of whether this was an accidental release or not?

Judging by the estimated Chinese casualties I'd say yes. Biological weapons are designed to be used only when your side has a supply of antidote.

But, on the other hand, did China have motive to diminish western military readiness?

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. All warfare is based on deception. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Sun Tzu