Military deployments in the Middle East are rising fast, pointing to a likely return to major fighting rather than a bluff — bad news for anyone hoping the region cools off.

• Troop and equipment buildups now look as big as or bigger than before the last round of fighting started.
• Trump and Netanyahu's recent exchange, with talk of "finishing the job," signals the two are on the same page about going further.
• The scale of the buildup doesn't look like a pressure tactic aimed at forcing Iran into talks — it looks like preparation for actual combat.
• The timing, right after US elections, suggests this was held back until the political calendar cleared.

Outlook: Expect a return to major combat operations in the region in the near term.