Self explanatory chart: It's all about the middle east. Gold reaches $1998 (over 3%), shy of $2000 in lieu of my forecast, pulls back to $1990. As Western countries scramble to hold off Israel's ground war on Gaza without calling for a cease fire, playing that same old tune of their bizzaro diplomacy. Gold remains bid on a possible $2000 breach. Eyes on Iran, which may open up multiple fronts on Israel.