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Iran’s recent attacks on Israel mark the beginning of a treacherous new chapter in their longstanding rivalry.

Iran’s recent strikes on Israel have opened a dangerous new chapter in the longstanding conflict between the two nations. In response to the killing of senior generals in Damascus, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israeli targets. While most of these projectiles were intercepted, the attack marked a significant escalation in hostilities.

This retaliatory strike poses several key questions for both Iran and Israel. Has Iran’s attack satisfied its desire for revenge, or will it feel compelled to strike again? Will Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu view his country’s successful defense as sufficient, or will he choose to escalate further by targeting Iran directly? These uncertainties create a tense and risky situation for both parties.

Iran’s decision to attack Israel directly, rather than through proxies, marks a significant shift in their conflict. The recent strikes represent a dangerous new phase in their shadow war, which has historically been carried out through allies and proxies in various Middle Eastern countries. Both Iran and Israel claim to be acting in self-defense, with Iran citing its nuclear program as a deterrent against Israel’s aggressive actions.

The recent attacks also shed light on Iran’s internal dynamics. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly ordered the strikes as a signal of Iran’s shift from strategic patience to active deterrence. This change in approach reflects Iran’s desire to assert itself as a regional power and push back against perceived Israeli aggression.

Despite the risks of escalation, Iran’s isolation following the strikes may deter further action. However, Israel’s response remains a key factor in determining the trajectory of the conflict. While some experts warn against a massive Israeli retaliation, the potential for further escalation looms large.

Check Out Also: Japan Increases Interest Rates for the First Time in Nearly Two Decades

In the midst of these tensions, diplomatic efforts may play a crucial role in preventing an all-out conflict. The United States, as a key ally of Israel, will likely seek to facilitate communication and de-escalation between the two parties. The international community will closely monitor the situation, hoping to prevent a full-scale war in the region.

Overall, Iran’s strikes on Israel represent a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region. The actions and reactions of both parties in the coming days will be critical in determining the future of their conflict. As tensions remain high, the stakes are immense, and the potential for further violence looms large.

Intellectuals Insider

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.