AVOIDING THE WAR NO ONE WANTS: President Trump has arrived back in Washington after his 17-day stay at Mar-a-lago over the holidays, defending his decision to order the targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani last week, and warning both Iran and Iraq not to retaliate.

Iran is threatening to attack U.S. military sites in the region and has announced it is suspending its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, while Iraq — ostensibly a U.S. ally — is threatening to expel U.S. troops from the country.