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See images of our latest vehicles both inside and out plus the destinations we’ve been to and are going to, we hope to add some video content soon. See our latest gallery images

Metallic Grey Mini Coach

Our latest addition is a metallic grey mini coach to add to the silver ones. All these VIP vehices have a conference style layout, similar to that seen in many smaller private or corporate jets.

About V2 Travel

V2 Corporate Travel is a unique concept in the North of England. We offer a limousine style coach charter service for smaller groups, in both the private and corporate sector.

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Don’t let it flow: Tourists to Spain’s Catalonia may soon see water restrictions in the dry season

Boeing pushes back on whistleblower’s allegations and details how airframes are put together

Project to shore up Pompeii yields stunning black banquet hall, with frescoes of Trojan War figures

Cambodia’s relocation of people from UNESCO site raises concerns

Brazil again extends visa exemptions for US, Canada and Australia, this time until 2025

Nyc natural history museum previews new wing.

The American Museum of Natural History gave a tour Thursday of the museum’s new wing, the under-construction Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation (Oct. 27) (AP Video: Ted Shaffrey)

Tourism boom helps Greece face rising costs

Cruelty for clicks: Cambodia is investigating YouTubers’ abuse of monkeys at the Angkor UNESCO site

British, French troops march in historic joint parades in London and Paris in a show of solidarity

80-year-old american tourist killed in elephant attack during game drive in zambia.

Stretch of California Highway 1 that collapsed in Big Sur closes again as new storm arrives

UK airports get more time to put in new scanners that will allow more liquids and packed laptops

Cruise ship carrying 1,500 passengers stuck in Spain port due to Bolivian passengers’ visa problems

Klaus Mäkelä, just 28, to become Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director in 2027

US traffic deaths fell 3.6% in 2023, the 2nd straight yearly drop. But nearly 41,000 people died

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A tropical cyclone makes landfall in northern Madagascar, killing 18 people

Federal EV charging stations are key to Biden’s climate agenda, yet only 4 states have them

The British Museum names Nicholas Cullinan its new director as it tries to get over a rocky patch

Voters to turn a new page in the history of Istanbul, guardian of the Bosphorus

A delta flight was cut short after a panel behind one of the engines fell off during takeoff.

NYC subway rider is fatally pushed onto tracks, reviving discussion about mental illness in system

Baby gorilla cuddled by mother at London Zoo remains nameless

A braking system ‘anomaly’ caused an American Airlines jet to exceed a Dallas runway, NTSB says

Federal officials want to know how airlines handle — and share — passengers’ personal information

Police say he got on a plane using a photo of a girl’s boarding pass. now he faces a felony charge.

Natural wonders. Napoleon’s exile. A remote island in the South Atlantic is now easier to reach

A critical Rhode Island bridge will need to be demolished and replaced

A Danish hippie oasis has fought drug sales for years. Now, locals want to tear up the whole street

Oregon governor wants tolling plan on 2 Portland-area freeways scrapped

Intense rainfall sweeps across Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates, disrupting flights

US poet laureate Ada Limón to launch book and parks project ‘You Are Here’

JetBlue and Spirit are ending their $3.8 billion merger plan after a federal judge blocked the deal

Cambodia defends family relocations around the famous Angkor Wat temple complex

California ski resort workers tunnel their way into the office after getting 10 feet of snow

Alaska’s Iditarod dogs get neon visibility harnesses after 5 were fatally hit while training

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First Ride: Forbidden Dreadnought V2 - More Travel & Longer Chainstays

Cool Features

V2 rocket: Origin, history and spaceflight legacy

How did Nazi Germany's V2 rocket contribute to spaceflight?

Rocket components

• Contribution to spaceflight

Additional resources

Bibliography.

The V2 rocket was the world's first large-scale liquid-propellant rocket, developed between 1936 and 1942 in Nazi Germany. It is regarded as a revolutionary breakthrough in rocket technology, with the use of liquid fuel increasing its thrust capabilities and making it the first artificial object to enter space. 

The V2 was the most advanced rocket of its time, when it was first launched in 1944, according to the journal Current Swedish Archaeology . However, the purpose of its production was deadly. 

The V in its name stood for "Vergeltungswaffe", meaning "Vengeance weapon" in German. As the first long-range guided ballistic missile, the Nazis used the rocket to attack their opposition during World War II. As a result the missile killed around 9,000 people, according to the book " Beyond: Our future in space " by Chris Impey (W. W. Norton & Company, 2016). 

Each missile was 14 metres long, 1.6 metres wide and carried 900 kilograms of explosives, according to the BBC . Along with the greater range that was achieved by the liquid-propellant , the V2 rocket was also equipped with a guidance system– something that provided it with much improved accuracy compared to its predecessors. 

Related: The history of rockets

Its automatic guidance system included an onboard computer, which was pre-programmed with the rocket's target destination, according to the journal Transactions of the Newcomen Society . If the line of trajectory was altered, rudders in the rocket's fins could adjust to get it back on track. 

— Remains of Nazi V2, the first supersonic rocket, unearthed in South East England

— Saturn V Rockets & Apollo Spacecraft

After the widespread use of the V2 as a war weapon, the potential of the rocket's technology in future combat and space applications was realised. Soon, the V2, which was responsible for taking so many lives, was responsible for accelerating human exploration in space . 

Today, liquid-fuel is still the propellant of choice for space missions. The V2 is remembered for its contribution to today's knowledge of distant worlds, but its origins and contributions to warfare aren't forgotten. 

Who built the V2 rocket?

German engineer Wernher von Braun led the team who built the V2 rockets, according to the journal Leadership and Management in Engineering . Having been fascinated by rocketry since he was young, and joining the Society for Space Travel at school, von Braun had become the technical chief of the rocket-development facility in Peenemunde, Germany. 

It was at this facility that he led the design and development of the missile. As a member of the Nazi party himself, von Braun was committed to producing a successful vengeance weapon, according to NASA . 

After surrendering to the Americans during the war, von Braun shared his knowledge of the V2 rocket with the U.S. Later, following WWII, he accepted the role of director at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Centre . During his time there, he used his rocket-making skills for more beneficial purposes, by helping design the rocket that took astronauts to the moon.

Spaceflight contribution

There are two legacies left behind by the V2 rocket. While one is of disaster and destruction, the deadly missile's technology was later used in a key milestone of space travel. Wernher von Braun and some of his colleagues moved to the U.S, where they worked to develop the Saturn V rocket, according to NASA. 

According to Science Museum , the V2 rocket became the first to enter space during a test carried out by the Nazis in 1944. During this test, it reached beyond the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space. After the war, U.S. President Eisenhower moved the rocket development centre from the Army to NASA, to change the focus of von Braun's work.

At NASA, the rocket scientist had to alter the advanced technology to produce a rocket that could stay in space, rather than one that was designed to fall. The team's experience in handling the large V2 rocket assisted the US in the Space Race and von Braun became the chief architect of the Saturn V launch vehicle, according to the BBC . This vehicle successfully brought the first astronauts to the moon in 1969.   

For more information about the V2 rocket, you can visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum website . Additionally, you can learn more about Wernher von Braun by reading NASA's biography .

• " The Air Torpedo of Bäckebo : Local Incident and World History". Current Swedish Archaeology (CSA) (2016). 
• Impey, C. (2015). " Beyond: Our future in space ". WW Norton & Company.
• " V2: The Nazi rocket that launched the space age ". BBC Future (2014). 
• " The V2 Rocket—a Convergence of Technologies? ". Transactions of the Newcomen Society (1995). 
• " Wernher von Braun and the Race to the Moon ". Leadership and Management in Engineering (2011). 

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

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Ailsa is a staff writer for How It Works magazine, where she writes science, technology, space, history and environment features. Based in the U.K., she graduated from the University of Stirling with a BA (Hons) journalism degree. Previously, Ailsa has written for Cardiff Times magazine, Psychology Now and numerous science bookazines. 

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V2 Summer Travels

Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, many professionals have been reduced to virtual interactions, with organizations shifting to remote working, canceling travel and postponing events. However, the introduction of the COVID vaccine and the easing of social distancing guidelines have allowed us to regain a feeling of normalcy over the last year.

The summer of 2022 has been a reinvigorating time for the team here at V2. We finally got back on the road to meet with teams, partners and clients and do what we do best—connect with people. Here’s a little recap of V2 Communications’ 2022 summer travels.

V2 Hits the Big Apple

In May, V2’s Senior Vice President Kristen Leathers and Account Manager Liam Sullivan traveled to New York City to participate in The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival . While there, they listened to thought leaders discuss the seismic shifts that have taken place and impacted how we live, work and play. V2 client, UiPath’s Chief Marketing Officer, Bobby Patrick, kicked off the event by taking the stage to speak about automation and how it is shaping the future of enterprises. It was an excellent opportunity to listen to and share ideas with leaders across the business, tech, science, sports and cultural industries.

The following month, in June, V2 and  Nuance Communications  (a V2 client) attended the  Ragan Communications Top Women in Communications Luncheon  in New York City to celebrate how far women have come in the communications field and their achievements over the past year. V2’s CEO Jean Serra and Nuance Communications’ VP of Global Corporate Communications and Customer Engagement Nancy Scott were among the honorees celebrated for their accomplished careers. The event was keynoted by CBS News executive Shawna Thomas and not only acknowledged honorees of 2022 but recognized the Hall of Fame awards classes of 2021 and 2020 that were unable to attend past ceremonies due to COVID.

V2 Heads West

That same month, V2 and Nuance hopped on a plane and headed to San Francisco, CA, for security’s must-attend event, the annual RSA Conference . V2’s Account Manager Amanda Maguire was in attendance to partake in the festivities and meet top professionals throughout the security industry. While there, Nuance’s Simon Marchand was able to demo the company’s voice biometrics technology that helps detect a caller simply by the voice using AI technology. And, of course, no San Francisco trip would be complete without a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39 to see the seals!

Just a few weeks later, V2 Vice President Nicole Metro traveled to the TechCrunch Climate Event in Berkeley, CA. There, she had the opportunity to listen to V2 client Christian Garcia of Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) as he participated in a panel discussing cleantech investments. Attendees had the chance to listen to keynote speaker Bill Gates address the audience on the importance of accelerating innovations—like the ones BEV’s portfolio companies are creating—to solve some of our most pressing climate challenges. In addition to tuning into sessions, Nicole was able to network with multiple up-and-coming cleantech companies and met with reporters from Bloomberg, The Economist and Axios to discuss how they’re covering the critical and noisy climate tech space.

A V2 Portland PRty

Finally, in June, the entire V2 team traveled by plane, train and automobile to Portland, ME, for some much-needed R&R&S (Rest, Relaxation and Strategizing!). V2ers were treated to a team luncheon, where CEO Jean Serra laid out her strategic vision for the agency moving forward while praising its accomplishments and ability to perform through adversity over the last few tumultuous years. V2 Account Manager Liam Sullivan was also awarded V2’s MV2P for his hard work and dedication to the V2 team and its values.

From there, the V2 team set sail with Portland Schooner on a cruise around the historic Portland Harbor, conversing and sharing laughs over cocktails and delicious Maine lobster rolls. That evening, the team hit the streets of downtown Portland and met for a waterfront dinner with cocktails at North43Bistro. The Portland PRty trip was filled with laughter, fun and excitement and was the perfect way to celebrate an incredible few years at V2.

As the world continues to inch its way back to normalcy, V2 Communications is bringing personability and human touch to our relationships with our clients and their brands. While we say goodbye to a fantastic summer filled with countless memories, we at V2 are thrilled and looking forward to the journeys yet to come!

To see and learn more about V2’s summer travels, visit and follow us on our social accounts:

Instagram: @V2Comms

LinkedIn: V2 Communications

Facebook: @V2Comms

Twitter: @V2Comms

September 2, 2022

By Steven DeLuca

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Starlink: The next generation —

Spacex unveils “v2 mini” starlink satellites with quadruple the capacity, v2 mini outperforms first-gen satellites, but full-size v2 must wait for starship..

Jon Brodkin - Feb 27, 2023 9:55 pm UTC

With Starlink speeds slowing due to a growing capacity crunch, SpaceX said a launch happening as soon as today will deploy the first "V2 Mini" satellites that provide four times more per-satellite capacity than earlier versions.

Starlink's second-generation satellites include the V2 Minis and the larger V2. The larger V2s are designed for the SpaceX Starship, which isn't quite ready to launch yet, but the V2 Minis are slimmed-down versions that can be deployed from the Falcon 9 rocket.

"The V2 Minis are smaller than the V2 satellites (hence the name) but don't let the name fool you," SpaceX said in a statement provided to Ars yesterday. "The V2 Minis include more advanced phased array antennas and the use of E-band for backhaul, which will enable Starlink to provide ~4x more capacity per satellite than earlier iterations."

We call them “V2 Mini”. They represent a step forward in Starlink capability pic.twitter.com/EFVpLFcz7n — SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 26, 2023

SpaceX didn't specify the amount of data that each V2 Mini satellite can provide, but its first-generation satellites were designed for an aggregate downlink capacity of 17 to 23Gbps per satellite. We asked SpaceX for details on the V2 Mini's per-satellite capacity and whether current user terminals installed at customers' homes can take full advantage of the speed boosts and will update this article if we get a response.

The Federal Communications Commission recently gave SpaceX approval to launch 7,500 of the 30,000 planned second-generation satellites. A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch tentatively scheduled for today would put 21 V2 Minis into orbit.

"Space weather is a watch item, with the two-minute launch window opening around 6:13 p.m. ET (23:13 UTC)... If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, February 28 at 1:49 p.m. ET (18:49 UTC)," SpaceX said.

The larger V2 satellites that can't launch until Starship is ready will be able to send signals directly to cell phones, a capability that'll be used by SpaceX and T-Mobile in a partnership announced in August 2022 .

Starlink speeds drop amid price hike and data cap

Many launches will likely be required for the second-generation satellites to have a noticeable impact on broadband performance. Starlink has nearly 3,700 first-generation satellites in orbit , but speeds have slowed as more users sign up. In large portions of the US, people who want Starlink have to sign up for a waiting list .

SpaceX has already imposed pricing changes that may be intended to manage capacity limits. Starlink last week notified residential users in "limited-capacity" areas that their monthly service price will increase from $110 to $120, while users in "excess-capacity" areas will get a price cut and pay only $90 going forward. Starlink also has a new data cap in which customers who go over 1TB in any given month will get slower speeds unless they pay extra for additional high-speed data.

Despite the name, the V2 Minis are bigger and heavier than first-generation Starlink satellites, which weighed about 295 kilograms each. "Each Starlink V2 Mini satellite weighs about 1,760 pounds (800 kilograms) at launch, nearly three times heavier than the older Starlink satellites," Spaceflight Now reported . "They are also bigger in size, with a spacecraft body more than 13 feet (4.1 meters) wide, filling more of the Falcon 9 rocket's payload fairing during launch."

Compared to the 21 second-gen satellites set for launch as soon as today, Starlink was able to deploy about 60 satellites per launch with the smaller first-generation ones.

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AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

The first launch of a v-2 rocket from america.

Captured German missiles took flight from the New Mexico desert in the early years after World War II.

Michael J. Neufeld

At 2:47 on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 16, 1946, a captured Nazi V-2 missile ascended from the U.S. Army’s new White Sands Proving Ground in south-central New Mexico. It didn’t get very far. The guidance system failed, a fin came off, and the rocket—after reaching an altitude of only 3.4 miles—crashed in the desert.

Almost exactly one year earlier, American troops had overrun the underground Mittelwerk V-weapons production plant in central Germany, in the process liberating several hundred very sick concentration camp prisoners in the adjacent camp and in the nearby city of Nordhausen. After the war was over, and before the Soviets could move into their designated occupation zone, U.S. Army Ordnance teams evacuated components for a hundred V-2s and shipped them off to the Southwest desert to gain experience operating the world’s first ballistic missile.

Assisting in the first American launch were some of the very German rocket engineers who had designed the rocket used to kill people in Paris, London and Antwerp. A group of about 125, led by Wernher von Braun , had been imported under Project Paperclip, which aimed to transfer German technological knowledge to the U.S. military and industry.

The von Braun group was housed at Fort Bliss outside El Paso, just across the Texas line. But they weren’t put in charge of the V-2 launches. The General Electric Company was responsible for preparing rockets at White Sands under the Army’s Hermes program, which, following the discovery of the German rocket program in 1943, was initiated to develop guided missiles. Over time, as American personnel gained more experience, the German role in assisting GE at White Sands diminished. The von Braun team’s primary job would be to develop Hermes II, an experimental ramjet cruise missile launched on top of a V-2.

Three-and-a-half weeks after the first launch attempt on April 16, GE personnel tried again, assisted by the Army, the Germans, and two research groups tied to the Navy. On May 10, the second V-2 ascended to an altitude of 70 miles (113 kilometers), well over the 100 km line now widely accepted as the definition of where space begins. It was the first launch into space from the United States, and by anyone except the Germans, whose V-2 had routinely crossed that line during wartime testing and operations of the ballistic missile in Europe.

Inside the nosecone of the April 16 and May 10 rockets, as well as other early White Sands V-2s, were heavy steel cylinders containing experimental equipment. Col. Holger Toftoy, the Army Ordnance officer in charge of the rocket program, had seen from the outset that V-2 flights provided an opportunity to do science in the upper atmosphere and near space. Such research would not only provide new knowledge, it would help the military understand the environment through which missiles would pass.

The primary experiment on the first flights was Dr. James Van Allen’s cosmic ray detector. Van Allen worked for the John Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland, which had developed the proximity fuse for artillery shells in World War II. Based on his experience designing a miniature radar set that could withstand drastic acceleration, Van Allen believed he knew how to create equipment that could survive the forces of launch and impact.

Ernst Krause’s Naval Research Laboratory team from Washington, DC, also placed inside these first V-2s armored cylinders containing test film for future experiments. At the time, radio telemetry was primitive and unreliable, and scientists wanted to recover the recording devices. Unfortunately, there was no money or time to develop a separable nosecone that would descend on a parachute. So Van Allen, Krause and others hoped that the heavy steel containers would survive impact in a salvageable form. But after the first successful launch on May 10, when they finally found the crater 61 miles away in the desert there was only a huge crater surrounded by metallic shards. Even following the April 16 failure, which impacted at a lower velocity, nothing usable was recovered. Four more successful V-2 launches into space from late May to early July produced similar results.

The solution to the problem came unexpectedly. The scientists’ first idea was to separate the warhead section, which the Army might want anyway for missile development. But on the first flight on which the separation system worked properly (also the first flight to ascend over 100 miles), it was the missile’s main body, not the nosecone, that survived in recognizable form after impact. No longer streamlined, the July 30 rocket tumbled all the way down, shedding velocity. Here was the place to put an armored instrument—in a tail fin. Finally, on the October 10 flight, the Naval Research Laboratory team recovered its ultraviolet spectrograph in a usable form. The retuned film revealed the first evidence of what the Sun’s spectrum looked like beyond the blocking effects of the Earth’s atmosphere. And two weeks after that, a 35-millimeter camera on a V-2 captured the first grainy, black-and-white images of Earth from space .

Contrary to Toftoy’s expectations that the White Sands V-2 campaign would be brief, launches went on until 1952, for both military and scientific purposes. More than 70 refurbished and modified German rockets were fired from White Sands—as well as one from a Navy ship at sea. Even before the V-2s ran out, the Army and Navy developed other rockets to replace it, like the Aerobee and Viking, both on view next to the V-2 in the National Air and Space Museum’s Space Race gallery . As museum curator David DeVorkin has written in his classic account of the early years at White Sands, Science with a Vengeance (1992), it was the military, not civilian government agencies, who created the U.S. space sciences after World War II.

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Michael J. Neufeld | READ MORE

Michael J. Neufeld is curator for rockets and missiles in the National Air and Space Museum’s Space History Department, and is the author of The Rocket and the Reich (1995) and Von Braun: Dreamer of Space, Engineer of War (2007), among other works.

English Grammar Here

Travel V1 V2 V3 V4 V5, Past Simple and Past Participle Form of Travel

Verb;   Travel

Meaning;  trip, journey, voyage, peregrination, eyre

V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 Form of  Travel

Synonym for  Travel

• peregrination
• sightseeing
• cultivation

When learning English you need to know the meaning of certain words first, and then sort the words appropriately according to  grammatical  rules. Verbs in a regular structure can be transformed with a simple rule, whereas in irregular verbs, this situation is slightly different. It may be a good start to make some  memorization  and learn how to use the verbs in the right places.

Here are  Verb Forms v1 v2 v3 v4 v5 pdf

Related Posts

Recite V1 V2 V3 V4 V5, Past Simple and Past Participle Form of Recite

Clothe V1 V2 V3 V4 V5, Past Simple and Past Participle Form of Clothe

Bear V1 V2 V3 V4 V5, Past Simple and Past Participle Form of Bear

About the author.

4 travel tips to put your mind at ease during your next trip

The season of summer holiday travel is just around the corner. 

You might find yourself heading to one of the U.S.’s many national parks, exploring a historic European city or jetting off somewhere tropical, like the Maldives.  

That all sounds like fun, but unfortunately, travel mishaps may also happen. Luggage gets lost, passports get misplaced and phones may not work at international destinations when they aren't connected to Wi-Fi.  

To avoid the headaches and prepare for whatever may come your way (or what accidentally gets left behind), follow these simple tips.  

Watch this video to see the four things you should do before your next trip.

Learn more: Best credit cards of 2023

Pre-Travel Tips 

All you need to get travel-ready is your smartphone.

• Take pictures. 

Take pictures and screenshots of the important items and documents before you leave for your trip. 

This would include: 

• Your luggage
• The photo page of your passport
• Your ID cards
• Any travel-related confirmations
• Location and contact details for the places you’re staying

Creating an album on your phone or marking the images as favorites will make it easier to find them should you need them. 

It couldn’t hurt to also share these pictures with a trusted loved one, like a significant other or close friend.

• Turn on Notify When Left Behind

Turn on Notify When Left Behind if you use Apple products.  

The feature, available on some iPhones, iPads, Macs, and AirPods, will notify you if you are separated from your items, like if you forget your AirPods in your hotel room. 

To turn Notify When Left Behind on or off, open the “Find My” app, select the device and then toggle the setting on or off.  

• Tell your credit card company about your plans

Have you ever had your card payment declined when paying for something on a trip? That’s probably because your credit card company is picking up unusual activity and flagging it as suspicious. 

Prevent that from happening by informing your credit card company of any upcoming domestic or international travel by setting a travel notification. 

Many credit card companies allow you to set the notification online or via the app, though some companies may not require one at all. 

• Check international phone plans

If you want to use your phone when you're not connected to Wi-Fi while traveling, see what international phone plans your mobile carrier offers that fit your budget. An international plan will allow you to do things like make and receive phone calls, access social media and find directions as long as you have cell service. Without a plan, those functions will only be available when the device is connected to Wi-Fi.

Bonus tip, you can download maps to use offline and easily navigate a new place!

Reviewed-approved travel recommendations  

Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.    

Reviewed helps you find the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of experts test everything from sleep masks and travel pillows to luggage and packing cubes to help you shop for the best of the best.  

• Tracking game-changer: Apple AirTags  
• Our favorite sleep mask: Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask  
• A top wireless charger: Yootech Wireless Charger   
• Must-have luggage: Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Luggage  
• Organization hack: Amazon Basics 4-Piece Packing Cubes Set  
• The best portable battery pack: Mophie Powerstation Plus   
• Our favorite travel pillow: Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow  
• Top-rated adult coloring book: Cindy Elsharouni Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book  

We Review the New Shimoda Explore V2: A Travel-Ready Backpack for Creators

Shimoda just launched their new backpack lineup, the Explore V2 Series. It’s a travel-ready backpack that comes in three sizes and is built for travel and landscape photographers who spend their time globetrotting with a camera in tow. This feature-rich new bag by a brand specializing in adventure camera bags is definitely worth checking out!

Build: Rugged Yet Refined

I learned a long time ago that there isn’t one camera bag that can do everything. Each photography job is a little different, and that’s why I own several camera bags. Each has slightly different features that make it suited to holding more or less gear or keeping it organized in a different way. 

Enter the Explore V2 series from Shimoda. This new line of bags is perfect for people who love to travel with their camera gear. Previous bags from Shimoda (Explore V1 and Action X) were tailored toward serious utility and durability, while the Explore V2 feels more refined and feature-rich. 

If the original Explore series of bags launched in 2017 was the pickup truck of camera bags, the Explore V2 is the SUV. It’s still a rugged bag, ready to go off-road, but it has lots more features and comfort built for a smoother travel experience. Explore V2 is smaller and easier to navigate with more organization to keep your cameras and accessories in place.

All of the Shimoda bags are super high quality, but the Explore V2 series has many more features that make it stand apart from the original. The first thing I noticed was the addition of more pockets. It still has the ergonomically designed back panel and side access as well as pockets on the shoulder straps, but now includes several compartments on the front of the bag that allow you to store accessories and smaller items without the need for an accessory pouch. 

There are two stowable water bottle pockets on the sides, which I often use for tripods or light stands. There is a medium-sized padded pocket on top, a full-height pocket on the front, and a half-height pocket on the front. Several of these contain internal zippered compartments, which are great for keeping small items stored. It may take a little time to find a system that works, but once you figure out how to consistently store everything, it will be dialed in. 

My favorite feature, the laptop sleeve, remains unchanged from previous models. I love how you can zip the top section of the back panel open and quickly slide a laptop into the padded sleeve without having to fully unzip the camera compartment. This is perfect for airport security lines, where you don’t want to hold up the line.

This pack functions very similarly to previous Shimoda bags, feeling really comfortable, especially on long trips and giving you full access to your gear via the large back panel zipper. The fabric and zippers feel equally durable to previous models. My original Explore 40 is still looking good and resisting the elements (snow and rain) after three-plus years of heavy use!

When it comes to traveling, the Explore V2 is now designed with several features that make it perfect for airports. The Explore comes in three sizes, the 25-, 30-, and 35-liter versions. The Explore 25 is sized for global carry-on and will even fit under an airplane seat! Explore 30 is sized for EU carry-on and will fit under some seats. The Explore 35 is sized for US carry-on. Additionally, all the bags have YKK lockable zippers, dual access document pockets, and a hidden passport pocket. The luggage handle passes through, making it perfect for combining with a roller bag.

One thing that Shimoda is doing that few other manufactures consider is designing specifically for women. Shimoda offers women’s specific shoulder straps designed to be more comfortable and ergonomic for female body types. This attention to the market is another example of how Shimoda cares about customer feedback and serving photographers of all types.

Core System

Lastly, one of the hallmark features of Shimoda bags, the core unit system is expanded on this bag. It now comes with three different options of core units (removable padded camera cubes). They are all sized for mirrorless cameras and come in small, medium, and large. Having the flexibility to store your camera gear in cubes is very functional. It allows you to switch camera kits or take the camera gear out to carry other items in your bag if you’re not taking cameras on a particular outing. 

There are probably lots of other features on this bag that I haven’t had a chance to explain in detail, but Shimoda is one of the leading camera bag makers and always makes excellent design choices. You can expect all the aspects of the bag to be top quality, with excellent attention to detail.

Usage and Examples

Although I haven’t had the chance to take this bag on a plane, I’ve been using it on road trips and adventures closer to home, and it has performed very well. As expected, I love all the access points and pockets on this bag as well as the sleek look.

I’ve found the Explore 25 to be perfect for smaller outings where I’m taking a camera, a few lenses, and a small drone. The pockets keep all the little items stowed neatly, and the suspension comfortably carries 20+ pounds of equipment. 

I can’t wait to take this bag on bigger trips where airline travel is involved. I can already see how the pockets will keep my items organized and the travel-specific features like the side handle sliding over the top of a roller bag will make moving through the airport even easier.

If you’ve got a ton of camera gear or expect to carry lots of outdoor equipment into the mountains, you will likely want to look at one of the larger Shimoda bags like the Action X50 or X70. It would have been cool if there was a way to incorporate expandable capacity on this bag. I love how the Action X series is able to hold a little more gear in a pinch with the expandable roll top.

The Explore V2 bags are sized for the traveler who has a camera or two and a few lenses. I appreciate how nimble this bag feels and look forward to taking it on trips that involve exploring far-off places. Anyone else excited to trot the globe after 2020?!

Overall, this is an impressive camera bag for the globetrotting photographer who likes to travel light and see the world. It will be a perfect bag to move quickly through airports and keep all your stuff neatly tucked away in a variety of pockets. It is sleek, stylish, and suited to the travel photographer whose camera bag is part of his/her everyday carry.

What I Liked

• Sleek stylish design
• Travel/airport-ready features
• High-quality look and feel
• Excellent organization 
• Back and side access to camera gear
• Modular core units
• Female-specific shoulder straps

What Could Be Improved

• Expandable capacity would be useful
• Color coding on pockets (red/green for charged/dead batteries)
• Hip belt pockets would be nice

Final Closing Thoughts

The Explore V2 from Shimoda is another excellent camera bag. Their bags are top of the line and perfect for travel and adventure photographers who want lightweight, functional camera carry options with plenty of protection and durability.

There are seemingly endless options when it comes to camera bags, but to me, Shimoda is the obvious choice because of the combination of features and high-quality design. I’ve used so many other camera bags that come close but can’t match the same level of function because they are always missing at least one key feature or have frivolous things that frustrate me. The bottom line is that Shimoda bags just work. Look for the Explore V2 in stores soon.

If you love travel and photography, consider checking out our Photographing the World Series with Elia Locardi where we go to some of the most beautiful locations in the world and teach the process of creating world class landscape images.  Save 15% by using "ARTICLE" at checkout.

Marc Bergreen is a colorado wedding photographer and adventure photographer based in Evergreen, CO with a passion for human powered adventure sports. When not shooting photos or creating youtube videos you can find him climbing, running, and skiing in the mountains.

www.bergreenphotography.com www.thebergreens.com

Hip straps on smaller bags that don't have enough back length are funny to me. I own too many bags that hip belts do nothing because they end up around my ribs but if they didn't exist people wouldn't buy the product because they expect hip straps on any outdoor bag.

Here is a crazy though for a review: show the inside, the pockets etc.

Have you taken your Explore V2 overseas yet? If so, what do think? Any issues with carry-on?

Should Travelers Take a Cruise to See the 2026 Solar Eclipse?

T he 2026 solar eclipse is set to occur on August 12th, 2026. As Europe’s first total solar eclipse in 27 years, there is a healthy amount of interest in the breathtaking (and fleeting) eclipse. But solar eclipses cannot be seen from anywhere which means that some people are located in less than ideal locations. This unfortunate complication has led to a spike in what some call Astro-tourism , traveling for the best views to stargaze. Some travelers have taken to the idea of getting on a cruise to get the best unobstructed views of the 2026 eclipse. 

A cruise journey to view the eclipse may be the solution to high travel costs in Europe or for travelers not interested in staying abroad. The convenience of cruises may be ideal for a vacation planned around an astronomical event. Cruises allow travelers to sit back and relax while their transportation is taken care of. Travelers can even purchase rooms with patio views where they can lounge out and relax with their eclipse glasses. Many cruise lines are adding or marketing their current cruises to be eclipse-viewing cruises. There have been eclipse cruises in the past, so travelers will have everything they need to enjoy the alignment. 

Cruise Options for the 2026 Eclipse 

These European cruises are the best journeys for travelers to see the eclipse of 2026. There are shorter-term sailing cruises and long-term cruises, so travelers have good options. Travelers can even choose from a warm eclipse-viewing vacation or a chilly getaway. 

Princess Cruises 

Princess Cruises has already claimed that they will have a cruise that will sail through Spain during the time of the eclipse. The cruise is set to be on their Sky Princess ship, which is contemporarily designed and has next-level touchless technology. Travelers interested in Princess Cruises should check their website on May 23rd, 2024. This is when they will announce more information on their cruises that have viewing opportunities. 

Cunard Line 

Three of Cunard’s ships will be in alignment with the eclipse. Travelers who want peak views of the event can choose from different travel destinations. The Queen Anne ship embarks on a seven-night cruise through Spanish and French ports. Travelers who prefer warmer temperatures are bound to enjoy this journey on the cruise line’s newest ship. The cruise departs from Southampton, England and goes on to explore the four different destinations. On the day of the eclipse, the ship will dock at La Coruña, which is on the northwest coast of Spain. 

Cunard also offers a week-long western Mediterranean cruise on the Queen Victoria ship. The ship will depart from Civitavecchia, Rome on August 10th, 2026. By the day of the eclipse, August 12th, travelers will be exploring Tarragona, Spain. Travelers can witness the eclipse while exploring the port or view it while relaxing onboard. 

If travelers appreciate chillier weather, there’s a 14-night voyage that begins in Southampton, England and ends in New York. This journey will begin on August 4th and end on August 18th of 2026. Travelers will be able to explore Iceland and Norway on the Cunard cruise. On the day of the eclipse, travelers will be in Reykjavik, Iceland , a fishing village with stunning landscapes. 

Holland America 

The Holland America cruise line is also planning to have multiple sailings around the eclipse. These cruises will follow the popular 2024 eclipse cruises. Travelers can expect to hear more details about the three European sailings at a later date. 

Albatross Expeditions 

This cruise line is a polar cruise operator, which often has sailings around Antarctica. Albatros will have an Arctic cruise during the eclipse. This 13-day journey will explore West Greenland, which is a great viewing destination. The cruise departs on August 10th from Reykjavik, Iceland and returns in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. 

Motorcycle Reviews

First look at 2024 ducati multistrada v2 s.

Table Of Contents

Ducati’s announcement regarding the comeback of Multistrada V2 S for 2024 drew attention recently. The new model year doesn’t bring any mechanical changes, instead introduces an eye-catching color scheme. While Ducati’s V4 motorcycles captured the limelight in 2023 with the debut of models like Panigale V4 R, Diavel V4, and Multistrada V4 Rally, the 2024 appears to be a year of refinement for the V2 models that often go unnoticed.

Technically speaking, the Multistrada V2 S remains the same, which is not necessarily a negative aspect, given that it underwent a significant “refresh” in 2022. The heart of the entertainment is the 937cc Testastretta 11° twin-cylinder engine, peaking at 113 horses at 9,000 rpm, with a maximum torque of 72.3 lb.-ft. at 6,750 rpm.

You won’t see any modifications to the chassis either, equipped with a front trellis frame and two lateral cast subframes for a sturdy structure, coupled with a double-sided aluminum swingarm. Both the 48mm USD fork and rear monoshock are fully adjustable, and since this is the V2 S version, it comes standard with Ducati’s exceptional semi-active Skyhook Suspension EVO. Brembo brake systems are a standard feature on all Multistradas, offering Cornering ABS on a set of 19/17 wheels.

Sadly, the Multistrada V2 S Travel version is not available in the US market (as of yet), so those luggage bags showcased in the images would come with an additional cost; a quick tour on the ducati.com website’s Configurator section revealed that the factory units would add around $1,200 to the price. The 2024 Multistrada V2 S in Thrilling Black and Street Grey is priced at $19,295 MSRP and will be available at dealerships starting this autumn.

On a related note, the Multistrada family for this year includes the Multistrada V2, V2 S, V4, V4 S, V4 Pikes Peak, and the newest addition, the V4 Rally. Also noteworthy (as Ducati reminded us), the Multistrada family celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023, with 100,000 units sold since 2003 – a testament to the model’s evolution.

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Ukraine war comes to Moscow as drones strike both capitals

• Medium Text
• Two injured in Moscow, one dead in Kyiv attacks
• Ukraine denies direct involvement
• Kyiv suffers 17 air attacks in May
• IAEA chief asks both sides to safeguard Zaporizhzhia plant

INJURIES AND EVACUATIONS IN MOSCOW

KYIV CITY HIT 17 TIMES BY AIR STRIKES IN MAY

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Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge, Max Hunder, Olena Harmash, Pavel Polityuk, Valentyn Ogirenko, Gleb Garanich, Lidia Kelly, Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland; Writing by Andrew Cawthorne, Mark Heinrich and Grant McCool; Editing by Michael Perry, Giles Elgood, Alison Williams and Richard Chang

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As Moscow bureau chief, Guy runs coverage of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Before Moscow, Guy ran Brexit coverage as London bureau chief (2012-2022). On the night of Brexit, his team delivered one of Reuters historic wins - reporting news of Brexit first to the world and the financial markets. Guy graduated from the London School of Economics and started his career as an intern at Bloomberg. He has spent over 14 years covering the former Soviet Union. He speaks fluent Russian.

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Trump's criminal hush money trial has its first seven jurors

The first seven jurors were selected on Tuesday to serve on Donald Trump's hush-money criminal trial, as the selection process continues to choose a panel of 12 members and six alternates who can be fair to the former U.S. president.

Moscow   Travel Guide

Why Go To Moscow

Moscow's opulence and high culture is a sight to be seen. Forget what you learned about Russia in grade school. This lavish capital of a formerly communist nation has fully embraced the luxuries, excesses and decadence of Western capitalism. Like many former Soviet countries, Mother Russia struggles to successfully confront issues of widespread poverty, alcoholism, failing healthcare, and environmental protection. But Moscow has burgeoned into one of the most expensive, exclusive and largest travel destinations in the world. It comes complete with world-class museums, magnificent palaces, $1,000-a-night hotels, "face-control" nightclubs and internationally-renowned restaurants. Don't think you can afford Moscow? Don't be afraid. You can still find affordable deals if you are vigilant. This metropolis has a big and bold character and grandiose setting that's definitely worth getting to know.

Find Flight and Hotel Deals

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Best of Moscow

Best hotels in moscow.

• # 1 in Hotel Metropol Moscow
• # 2 in Radisson Collection Hotel, Moscow
• # 3 in Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow

Best Things to Do in Moscow

• # 1 in Red Square
• # 2 in Tretyakov Gallery
• # 3 in St. Basil's Cathedral

Moscow Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Moscow is April and May, when the temperature creeps into the 50s and 60s, the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day, and hotel rates have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges. Of course, the golden period is summer, when the city is warm and bustling. But if you want to (slightly) spare yourself from the perpetually expensive rates, try the shoulder seasons in the spring and early fall. Preferably spring, since fall experiences more rainfall and less sunlight. Winters are brutally cold, but this is when you'll get a true glimpse into the Moscow experience (A frost-bitten walk through Red Square seems to intensify the historical significance of this great capital city).

Weather in Moscow

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

A little Russian English is spoken only in major hotels and restaurants, and you'll find mostly Russian speakers in the less tourist-heavy areas. American visitors also struggle with the Cyrillic spellings and pronunciations. Practice some key Russian phrases on the long flight over.

A little tipping Unlike most other European cities, tipping (five to 10 percent) in restaurants is the custom.

A lot of vodka This Russian drink of choice (yes, they usually consume it straight) is found at any bar. But if you wish to taste it and learn about its origins, the Moscow Distillery Cristall is your best bet.

How to Save Money in Moscow

If it seems too good to be true It probably is. Take that proverb to heart in Moscow, and don't expect the Czarist medal you purchased off a street vendor to be worth anything more than a good memory.

If you're oblivious on the subway You'll probably leave several rubles lighter. Pickpockets prey on unsuspecting foreigners in crowded places, particularly metro cars. Beware!

If you're not scared of the dark You may be able to handle Moscow's long nights in fall, winter and spring, when hotels offer the lowest rates. December sees an average of 18 hours of sunlight … in total.

Culture & Customs

English is spoken in major hotels and restaurants, but you'll find mostly Russian speakers in the less tourist-heavy areas, such as at the market or in small inns. Some helpful Russian greetings include the informal hello (pronounced, pri-VET ); the formal hello ( Zdravst-vwee-tye ); the informal goodbye ( pah-KAH ); and the formal goodbye ( Dah svih-DA-nee-ye ). To thank someone, say " Spas-EE-ba ."

What to Eat

Traditional Russian fare focuses on hearty meat dishes and cold soup, a particularly Russian specialty. But don't arrive in Moscow thinking you'll experience only the old cuisine. Russia's new personality has been accompanied by a lavish taste for international cuisine, especially Asian food. Sushi and Asian fusion restaurants are among the most popular in the city, and other dining options include American and Italian cuisine. Eating out, like everything in Moscow, can be very expensive, but you can find cheaper restaurants in shopping centers and areas outside the city center. 

Stay alert for pickpockets when using public transport and when visiting the main tourist sites. Many an unsuspecting traveler has been relieved of some rubles on the Moscow Metro and near Red Square. Also, make sure to exercise extra caution when leaving bars and clubs at night.

There have been cases of corrupt police asking for random fines -- if this occurs, get the officer's number and name and ask to go to the police station with him or her.

Getting Around Moscow

The best way to get around Moscow is the metro. Faster and more efficient than the trolley buses and trams, this extensive system has stations that contain beautiful ornamentation, sculptures and mosaics. You could rent a car, but it's best to use public transportation to avoid the city's perpetually congested roads. Plus, street signs are all in Russian. In fact, English signs are nonexistent in the public transit system as well, so it's best to quickly get familiar with a map. Most travelers arrive through Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), but there are several other airports that serve the metro area. Several buses and a metro line shuttle airport travelers to and from downtown.

Entry & Exit Requirements

Acquiring a visa to travel in Russia is a bit more complicated and expensive than visiting other countries. Every foreign traveler entering Russia must have a Russian-based sponsor (like a hotel, tour company, university or relative). In addition to a valid U.S. passport, you must also obtain a travel visa from a Russian embassy or consulate prior to arriving in Russia. If you plan to stay in Russia for more than seven days, you have to register your visa and migration card (the white paper document given by the border police on first entry to Russia) with the Federal Migration Service. Visas can cost anywhere from $160 to $250 per person, depending on the length of your stay. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department website .

Red Square is one of the most famous squares in the world.

Explore More of Moscow

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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Moscow buildings damaged in overnight drone attacks that Russia blames on Kyiv

Officials say one person is injured in the latest in a series of strikes on the Russian capital that Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for

Three Ukrainian drones were downed over Moscow early on Sunday, Russia’s defence ministry said, in an attack that briefly shut an international airport.

While one of the drones was shot down on the city’s outskirts, two others were “suppressed by electronic warfare” and smashed into an office complex. A security guard was injured, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials.

“Ukrainian drones attacked tonight. Facades of two city office towers were slightly damaged,” Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin posted on Telegram.

Moscow and its surrounding area are more than 500km from the Ukrainian border and the ongoing conflict there, but have been targeted in several drone attacks this year .

The attack reported Sunday is the latest in a series of recent drone assaults – including on the Kremlin and Russian towns near the border with Ukraine – that Moscow has blamed on Kyiv.

Kyiv is yet to comment, but Ukraine typically declines to claim responsibility for attacks on Russia.

The defence ministry called it an “attempted terrorist attack”.

“One Ukrainian UAV was destroyed in the air by air defence systems over the territory of the Odintsovo district of Moscow region,” it said on Telegram.

“Two more drones were suppressed by electronic warfare and, having lost control, crashed on the territory of Moscow-City’s non-residential building complex.”

The TASS state news agency reported that the capital’s Vnukovo airport was “closed for departures and arrivals, flights are redirected to other airports”.

Within less than an hour, operations appeared to have returned to normal.

Earlier this month, a volley of drone attacks briefly disrupted air traffic at the same airport, to the city’s south-west.

The attacks on Moscow come several weeks into a Ukrainian counter-offensive to claw back territory captured by Russia since large-scale hostilities erupted in February 2022.

On Friday, Russia said it had intercepted two Ukrainian missiles over its southern Rostov region bordering Ukraine, with at least 16 people wounded by debris falling on the city of Taganrog.

Regions bordering Ukraine have seen regular drone strikes and shelling since Moscow launched its military campaign in February last year, but have rarely been targeted by missiles.

The ministry said the first S-200 missile was aimed at the “residential infrastructure” of Taganrog, a city of about 250,000 people.

On the other side of the border, at least one civilian was killed in a Russian missile attack on the north-east Ukrainian city of Sumy on Saturday evening, according to national police, who added that there were five injured.

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U.S. issues travel warning for Israel with Iran attack believed to be imminent and fear Gaza war could spread

By Debora Patta , Tucker Reals

Updated on: April 13, 2024 / 5:25 PM EDT / CBS News

Update: Iran launched drone attacks against Israel on Saturday. Read CBS News'  latest coverage here .

Tel Aviv  — Israel is bracing for a worst-case scenario that U.S. officials believe could materialize within just hours — the possibility of a direct attack on Israeli soil by Iran in retaliation for a strike almost two weeks ago that killed seven Iranian military officers. Iran has vowed to take revenge for Israel killing its commanders, who were hit by an April 1 strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital.

Two U.S. officials told CBS News that a major Iranian attack against Israel was expected as soon as Friday, possibly to include more than 100 drones and dozens of missiles aimed at military targets inside the country. Sources have told CBS News the retaliation could include attacks carried out both by Iranian forces, and proxy groups around the region that it has been funneling additional arms to for weeks.  

The officials said it would be challenging for the Israelis to defend against an attack of that magnitude, and while they held out the possibility that the Iranians could opt for a smaller-scale attack to avoid a dramatic escalation, their retaliation was believed to be imminent. 

Asked Friday how imminent he believes an attack is, President Biden responded, "I don't want to get into secure information, but my expectation is sooner than later." The president urged Iran not to move forward, saying his message to Tehran was: "Don't."

Tehran has not indicated publicly how or when it will return fire, so it's unclear how far Iran's leaders will go. If they decide to carry out a direct attack on Israel, there's fear it could blow Israel's ongoing war against Iranian ally Hamas up into a much wider regional conflict.

With the Iranian retaliation expected at any time, the U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans in Israel not to travel outside major cities, which are better protected from incoming rocket fire by the country's Iron Dome missile defense system. The latest guidance noted that travel by U.S. government employees in Israel could be further restricted with little notice as things develop in the tinderbox region.

"Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday as he visited troops at an Israel Defense Forces airbase. "We are prepared … both defensively and offensively."

On Saturday, all U.S. embassies in the Middle East were put on high alert and required to hold emergency action committee meetings. Diplomats in Lebanon and Israel were specifically told not to travel to certain areas within those countries.

Sima Shine, a security expert and former official with Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad, told CBS News it was a dangerous moment for the region, and the "most worried" she has been. She said anxiety over an all-out war was likely just as high "on both sides, in Israel and in Iran."

If Iran does choose to strike Israel directly, it could involve a complex missile and drone attack similar to the one Iranian forces launched against a Saudi oil facility in 2019 .

"They will try to do it on the military or some military asset," Shine predicted. "But the question will be the damage. If there would be many injured people, killed or injured … I think it has the potential for a huge escalation."

Shine stressed, however, that she still believes neither side actually wants a regional conflict.

U.S. "really trying to avoid war"

The U.S. sent a senior general to Israel this week to coordinate with the close American ally on any response it might make to an Iranian attack. Speaking Friday on "CBS Mornings," America's top military officer said, "we're really trying to avoid war."

"This is part of the dialogue that I have with my counterparts within the region, to include the Israeli chief of defense, who I talked to yesterday," said Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., adding that the U.S. military was "doing things not only to prevent a war, but at the same time, one of my primary things is to make sure all the forces in the region are protected."

"My role, as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is to plan and prepare," Brown said. "That's one thing we do very well."

Brown's Israeli counterpart, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, "completed a comprehensive situational assessment on the readiness of the IDF for all scenarios," Israel's military said Friday. 

"The IDF is very strongly prepared, both offensively and defensively, against any threat," Halevi was quoted as saying in the statement. "The IDF continues to monitor closely what is happening in Iran and different arenas, constantly preparing to deal with existing and potential threats in coordination with the United States Armed Forces." 

The IDF said the visiting U.S. general, Central Command chief Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, was taking part in the IDF's situational assessment.

The dilemma for Iran, said Israeli expert Shine, is to figure out how to deliver its promised response to Israel's attack in Syria, but in a way that does not lead to further escalation. Likewise, Shine said Israel could choose to show restraint when it responds to whatever Iran eventually does.

If either side gets the balance wrong, the consequences for the region, and even the world, could be dire.

Weijia Jiang, David Martin, Margaret Brennan and Olivia Gazis contributed reporting.

• Middle East
• Benjamin Neta​nyahu

Debora Patta is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Johannesburg. Since joining CBS News in 2013, she has reported on major stories across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Edward R. Murrow and Scripps Howard awards are among the many accolades Patta has received for her work.

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