A new, dangerous phase: Failure to strike an Israel-Hamas deal heightens risk of wider Mideast conflict

Recent U.S. optimism about securing a cease-fire may be overblown. While Blinken's presence assured that Hezbollah or Iran wouldn't retaliate against Israel during the DNC, intelligence suggests that the Lebanese militants are determined to carry out a revenge attack soon. In Washington, the hope is that the miracle will last at least another day