By Tal Shalev, CNN

(CNN) — The incoming director of Israel’s Mossad spy agency believed a war with Iran could trigger the swift collapse of the regime, according to three Israeli sources familiar with internal consultations – an assessment that has failed to materialize after more than 40 days of fighting.

Roman Gofman, currently serving as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military secretary, told the Israeli leader in planning discussions that the Iranian regime could be toppled, a view shared by the agency he is set to lead, and one that proved overly optimistic.

Gofman is slated to assume the post in June for a five-year term, replacing David Barnea, who also believed that a war could topple the Islamic Republic.

Barnea, who has led the Mossad since 2021, played a key advisory role in the lead-up to the US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28 that began the war, according to two Israeli security sources. The New York Times reported that Barnea pitched Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump on the idea that assassinations of Iran’s leaders, followed by a series of intelligence-led operations, could mobilize the country’s opposition and spark protests, riots, and acts of defiance that would lead to the collapse of the regime.

“The Mossad’s position was that regime change is a likely outcome and that they can make it happen,” one of the Israeli security sources told CNN.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had reservations and was more nuanced in its goals, the source added, instead advocating aiming to weaken the regime and create the conditions for a public revolt. “The Mossad made a series of promises it didn’t deliver,” the source said.

The killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the opening wave of attacks and the subsequent US-Israeli destruction of Iran’s military and government infrastructure have so far failed to bring about any meaningful change in Tehran’s leadership or hardline positions. The new Supreme Leader – the son of the slain ruler – is believed to be more hardline than his father and closer to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Barnea, in his first public statement since the beginning of the war, said Israel’s mission in Iran was incomplete. “We certainly planned for our campaign to continue and to manifest itself even in the period following the strikes in Tehran,” he said, speaking on Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day Tuesday. “Our commitment will be fulfilled only when the extremist regime is replaced.”

Severely wounded on October 7

Gofman, 49, was born in Belarus and immigrated to Israel at the age of 14. He spent over three decades in the IDF Armored Corps, holding numerous frontline and command positions.

Severely wounded in battle on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, he has served since his recovery as Netanyahu’s top military aide, and he was involved in all of the key strategic and operational decisions around the region over the past two years, including in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza and Syria. A

By Annie Grayer, CNN

(CNN) — Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigned from Congress Tuesday, moments before their House colleagues were prepared to set in motion their swift removal.

The Democrat and Republican escaped the almost certain public embarrassment of an expulsion vote on the House floor. But while they narrowly avoided the most severe consequence possible for a member of Congress, they are still exiting their positions on Capitol Hill engulfed in separate scandals resulting in high-profile political free falls.

The pair of resignations, the intentions of which were announced in quick succession Monday night, amounts to a stunning moment in the US House of Representatives where pressure from members on both sides of the aisle for accountability had made the environment for the lawmakers to stay in Congress essentially untenable.

“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me, however, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make,” Swalwell wrote in his letter to Speaker Mike Johnson resigning his seat, effective immediately.

“I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties,” he continued, adding that he would work with his staff “in the coming days” to make certain they could serve his district.

Gonzales’ resignation, set for 11:59 p.m. ET, was also read into the House record.

Swalwell announced his resignation in the days following reporting from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle that a former staffer accused him of sexual assault, describing a night of drinking that ended with him having sex with her when she could not consent. In addition to the allegation of sexual assault, three other women who spoke with CNN alleged other sexual misconduct, including that Swalwell sent unsolicited nude photos and graphic messages.

The California Democrat’s resignation comes in the immediate aftermath of an announced House ethics investigation and mounting pressure from colleagues on both sides of the aisle to step down. Swalwell, who has repeatedly denied the allegations, had already suspended his California gubernatorial bid — though that did not tamp down calls that he leave his job. He is also facing an inquiry by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Gonzales, meanwhile, announced he was stepping down amid his own House Ethics Committee probe. Last month, the Texas Republican acknowledged an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. He is also facing allegations that he sent a former campaign staffer lewd texts, which the congressman has not addressed.

It was not yet clear whether lawmakers had secured the needed votes to

CNN

By Annie Grayer, CNN

(CNN) — Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigned from Congress Tuesday, moments before their House colleagues were prepared to set in motion their swift removal.

The Democrat and Republican escaped the almost certain public embarrassment of an expulsion vote on the House floor. But while they narrowly avoided the most severe consequence possible for a member of Congress, they are still exiting their positions on Capitol Hill engulfed in separate scandals resulting in high-profile political free falls.

The pair of resignations, the intentions of which were announced in quick succession Monday night, amounts to a stunning moment in the US House of Representatives where pressure from members on both sides of the aisle for accountability had made the environment for the lawmakers to stay in Congress essentially untenable.

“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me, however, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make,” Swalwell wrote in his letter to Speaker Mike Johnson resigning his seat, effective immediately.

“I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties,” he continued, adding that he would work with his staff “in the coming days” to make certain they could serve his district.

Gonzales’ resignation, set for 11:59 p.m. ET, was also read into the House record.

Swalwell announced his resignation in the days following reporting from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle that a former staffer accused him of sexual assault, describing a night of drinking that ended with him having sex with her when she could not consent. In addition to the allegation of sexual assault, three other women who spoke with CNN alleged other sexual misconduct, including that Swalwell sent unsolicited nude photos and graphic messages.

The California Democrat’s resignation comes in the immediate aftermath of an announced House ethics investigation and mounting pressure from colleagues on both sides of the aisle to step down. Swalwell, who has repeatedly denied the allegations, had already suspended his California gubernatorial bid — though that did not tamp down calls that he leave his job. He is also facing an inquiry by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Gonzales, meanwhile, announced he was stepping down amid his own House Ethics Committee probe. Last month, the Texas Republican acknowledged an affair with a staffer who later died b

The post Virtue Signaling Through Demonstrations Not Enough appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

* WHAT…Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph
expected.

* WHERE…Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast and Santa Ynez
Mountains Western Range.

* WHEN…From 5 PM this afternoon to 3 AM PDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

The post Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 11:57AM PDT until April 15 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.