Chuck Holton
Politics • Culture • News
Chuck Holton is an American war correspondent, published author, and motivational speaker.
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Iran May Struggle to Attack

"Iran’s Missile Dilemma: The Hidden Struggle Behind Tehran's Delayed Response to Hamas Leader’s Assassination"

Military experts discussed Tehran's ballistic missile array on the network and the difficulty the Islamic Republic faces in preparing them for launch. According to a military analyst, the prolonged time required to set up the missiles may be a delaying factor for Iran's response.

Iran repeatedly threatens a military response against Israel following the assassination of Hamas' political bureau chairman, Ismail Haniyeh, threats that put the Middle East on the brink of a regional war with unknown outcomes.

Iran has a variety of possible weapons to respond against Israel, and the Iranian attack on Israeli territory in April provides a glimpse into the response options available to the Islamic Republic. Now, security experts worldwide point to a difficulty Iran faces precisely with its most effective weapon, a difficulty that might explain the long wait time between the assassination and any Iranian action.

Iran's ballistic missile array is one of the most developed in the world, including several technological branches of development that have been ongoing for years, leading to several impressive and fearsome weapons. Among dozens of models, three missiles are particularly relevant for firing at Israel: the Shahab-3, an Iranian development of the North Korean Nodong missile, and its two upgraded versions, the "Ghadr" and the "Emad." Additionally, Iran boasts a solid-fuel ballistic missile called "Khaibar Shikan" with a tremendous range of over 2,000 kilometers.

These are very difficult-to-intercept missiles, with multiple warheads and the ability to deceive defense systems. Iran used them during the attack on Israel in April alongside older missiles. Of the hundreds of munitions fired at Israel by Iran, only a few ballistic missiles managed to hit Israeli territory without being intercepted. Iran fired between 110 and 130 such missiles, most from its territory and a small number from Yemen.

A US military expert explains: "I think much of Iran's limitation stems from the number of launchers it has. Even if you have 2,000 missiles and only a hundred mobile launchers, you can only fire a hundred missiles in one volley." The expert explains that the missile models in Iranian hands are a development of a Soviet concept, requiring the launch of missiles from a mobile launcher rather than from launch pits or pre-prepared cartridges, as the American army does.

This means that it takes a long time to set up the missile for launch, fuel it, and bring it to a state of launch readiness. The expert claims that it can take a skilled Iranian crew at least six hours to prepare such a missile for launch, and a less skilled crew almost a day. It is unclear how many mobile launchers Iran possesses and even less so the level of training and capability of the crews. The expert believes it took the Iranians several days to prepare for the launch towards Israel in April and that they would struggle to maintain such a firing rate over time if the Iranian response escalates into an exchange of blows.

The prolonged process of preparing a large number of ballistic missiles for launch may be behind the time it takes for the Iranians to respond to the assassination that occurred almost a week ago or at least serves as an encouraging factor for Tehran's psychological campaign, which causes damage to Israel's economy in front of its people.

Via Israel HaYom

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Watch: Biblical Red Heifer ritual comes to life

in a rehearsal ceremony, A red heifer raised in Israel was disqualified for sacrifice after two black hairs were found on its body. It was used in a practice burning ceremony for priests.

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Pray for Texas Flood Victims

Wow.

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Free Burma Rangers Under Fire

WARNING: This video contains graphic material.
The Free Burma Rangers charged into the line of fire to extract the wounded from the frontlines in Burma during the ongoing war for freedom.
One of their own, Ranger Benedict To, was killed in the line of duty as he worked to get those who were wounded out of harms way.

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Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce

My erstwhile field producer and cameraman Dennis Azato has accompanied me on ten years of adventures across the globe. Today he joins me in Ukraine and we spend some time remembering our many trips together.

Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce
Travel to Armenia with Chuck Holton

Join us for an unforgettable 10-day adventure through Armenia. Explore ancient Christian sites, breathtaking mountains, and the resilient spirit of the Armenian people, guided by Chuck Holton and his family. Perfect for couples, Christian adventurers, photographers & drone lovers. $2700 per person – limited spots available! Link to application and details here, https://www.holtonnews.com/armenia-tour/

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Looking to Adopt?

Two sweet dogs were left on Chuck’s property and we’re hoping to find them a loving home. They’re both friendly and healthy—the black one is a sweet little female and the brown one is a gentle male.

If you’re on the East Coast or near southern West Virginia and would like to adopt them, please email [email protected] to coordinate pickup.

Let’s find these two a good home.

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The national library of Israel

A hot zone viewer named Rachael works at the national library of Israel and invited me for a tour today. Fascinating! Thank you, Rachel!

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Blood Sea:
 Why the Houthis Just Sank Two Ships

 

This week, the Houthis took their war to a whole new level—sinking two commercial ships in the Red Sea in just a matter of days. First, the Magic Seas was hit and went down. Then came the Eternity C, boarded by armed Houthi fighters who planted explosives on the hull and detonated them. The shocking video released by the group shows militants moving through the ship, firing weapons into walls and windows. Most of the crew is still unaccounted for.

So why now?

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Ceasefire Illusions and the Battle for Real Peace in the Middle East

By Chuck Holton
Reporting from Jerusalem, Israel

Another Strike Looms: Israel Eyes Fordow, Again

As tensions simmer just beneath the surface in the Middle East, the illusion of ceasefires continues to dominate headlines. But from the ground here in Jerusalem, the reality is far different. Israel appears to be preparing for another potential strike on Iran—particularly the Fordow nuclear facility—amid concerns that time is running out to neutralize the threat of uranium enrichment. Israeli leadership is not waiting for diplomatic ceremonies. They’ve made it clear: the truce was conditional, and they reserve the right to act if Iran continues to endanger Israeli security.

That resolve was evident in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., where he met twice with President Trump. Despite public speculation, it’s clear Netanyahu was not simply seeking peace talks. He emphasized the necessity of "finishing the job in Gaza" and praised America’s support—particularly the determination of U.S. B2 bomber pilots—as instrumental in reshaping the conflict.


Houthi Menace: Political Theater with Real Victims

Meanwhile, in a display of violence as propaganda, the Iranian-backed Houthis released another highly-produced video showing the sinking of commercial vessels like the Magic Seas—Greek-flagged, Liberian-registered, and completely unaffiliated with Israel. These attacks aren’t strategic; they’re sensational. Poorly trained operatives parading around as commandos show that the goal isn’t military victory but media relevance.

The real tragedy? Innocent seafarers becoming casualties in a conflict they never signed up for. And with every new attack, the narrative of peace grows thinner.


The Ceasefire Charade

Despite high-level efforts—most notably by President Trump—to broker ceasefires across the region, the facts on the ground reveal continued hostilities:

  • In Lebanon, Israeli forces are conducting daily drone strikes and eliminating Hezbollah leadership.

  • In Syria, IDF troops continue operations, targeting Iranian militias and weapons depots.

  • In Iran, mysterious explosions still rock military sites and infrastructure, hinting at covert operations.

  • In Gaza, heavy IDF activity persists as troops push deeper into urban strongholds like Beit Hanoun and Khan Yunis.

These are not signs of peace. These are signs of a nation that understands its survival depends on vigilance.


The Gaza Dilemma: Feeding the War Machine?

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has now distributed over 65 million meals to civilians in Gaza—funded in large part by U.S. taxpayers. But while the aid is vital for many, it raises a vital question: at what cost?

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Facts, Not Feelings

“Why Don’t You Talk About the Deaths in Gaza?”

That question came up—again. And here’s my answer: I do talk about it, just not in the way people want me to. If your side orchestrates an atrocity like October 7th, you don’t get to demand that the world ignore your consequences. Self-defense isn’t genocide.

Do civilians die in war? Of course—and every loss is tragic. But according to third-party data, the civilian-to-combatant ratio in Gaza is one of the lowest in modern warfare. Lower than in Iraq or Afghanistan. Lower than in Yemen. Lower even than Israel’s last major operations.

And no, Gaza isn’t being depopulated. In fact, population numbers show there are more people in Gaza today than at the war’s start. For a so-called genocide, that’s one remarkably inefficient campaign.


Crossing Borders and Cultures

Joining me in Israel is my good friend Oscar Blue Ramirez, who experienced firsthand what real border security looks like. After flying into Jordan, he spent over nine hours just trying to cross into Israel. From chaos on the Jordanian side to four-hour inspections on the Israeli end, Oscar came through sunburned, smoked out, and very much enlightened.

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