War with Iran
I haven't commented here on the situation in the Middle East -- there's many better minds making more posts with up-to-the-second updates. I do have a banner in the sidebar that lets you know my position: I stand with Israel. I've also posted a few comments on the type of war being waged over at The Wide Awakes. I have studied and do know a lot about the history of the Middle East.
I honestly believe this conflict could end in a moment. If Israel just stopped, I think everyone else would, too -- at least for the moment. But I don't see Israel stopping after issuing their ultimatum. There's much debate over the ultimatum, but I don't see Israel just stopping now -- but, of course, they could. Assuming Israel doesn't stop, and the terrorists don't return the kidnapped soldiers, where does that leave us? Syria is screaming that they will respond if they are attacked. Iran says they will attack if Syria's attacked. That just leaves this as a local war, so far. But what about all the reports that Iranian soldiers may be operating in Lebanon? What about reports that Syria is providing intelligence for the terrorists? Iran and Syria are open sponsors of Hezbollah. So, if these reports are true (and there's no indication they are not), then Syria and Iran have already attacked Israel, yet promised to "retaliate" if Israel defends itself. I think that Jerome Corsi has it right in his commentary when he saysThe true enemy of Israel and the U.S. today is not Hezbollah, Hamas, or Syria – the true enemy has been and will continue to be Iran, as long as the Islamic Republic of Iran remains the regime in Tehran.
Iran is taking the opportunity to take the focus off it's nuclear weapons development. I believe that they think they can complete their weapon before the war escalates to include them, and then they can deploy the weapon and destroy Israel once and for all. I don't think the U.S. will respond, however. I'm not sure today's U.S. government will ever launch a nuclear weapon -- even if the continental U.S. is hit with one. Israel, I'm with you. I just hope the rest of the U.S. government is, and that they can see the real danger before it's too late.
Comments
1
We have been at war with Iran and Syria for quite some time now. Those two countries remind me of the oafs sitting behind one a chess player telling him what moves to make... then when the opponent complains about the interloping they threaten to kill him if he keeps whining.
When will the western world learn that "peace" doesn't mean only one side is doing all the killing?
When will the western world learn that "peace" doesn't mean only one side is doing all the killing?
Posted by: ParaTed2k at July 17, 2006 05:54 PM (ngLJ+)
2
We have certainly been at war with Islam for a very long time. But this may be a much larger escalation than in the past...if Iran deploys a nuke, there's a whole new "game."
And yes, I think slowly, very slowly, more and more in the west are starting to understand that -- not the Democrats, Socialists, or the media, but most people.
And yes, I think slowly, very slowly, more and more in the west are starting to understand that -- not the Democrats, Socialists, or the media, but most people.
Posted by: Ogre at July 17, 2006 06:16 PM (/k+l4)
3
Happy to see you back. Hope your vacation was wonderful.
When Iran said they needed until August to consider the package they were being offered to end their nuclear bomb making project, now we know why they wanted the extra time! Shake up the G8, and show how they can mess things up in the ME! I've heard that (actually read in a couple of places online) that there is a growing dis-ease among Iranians, and the various factions are putting aside their differences to get rid of Ahmadinejad...I hope the rumors are correct!
When Iran said they needed until August to consider the package they were being offered to end their nuclear bomb making project, now we know why they wanted the extra time! Shake up the G8, and show how they can mess things up in the ME! I've heard that (actually read in a couple of places online) that there is a growing dis-ease among Iranians, and the various factions are putting aside their differences to get rid of Ahmadinejad...I hope the rumors are correct!
Posted by: DagneyT at July 17, 2006 07:26 PM (bkDcs)
4
That would be the only way to stop Iran short of war. Either the people of Iran shut him up or we will have to, I'm afraid!
And thanks, yes, the vacation was absolutely wonderful!
And thanks, yes, the vacation was absolutely wonderful!
Posted by: Ogre at July 17, 2006 07:28 PM (/k+l4)
5
While the islamic nations of Syria and Iran may be just doing the regular, idiotic chest pounding, I suspect that they have a very short memory. Israel is quite capable of handling itself in a fight. They've demonstrated remarkable restraint thus far. It will be interesting to see what happens if they decide to turn it up a notch.
Posted by: jarhead john at July 18, 2006 07:39 AM (o755D)
6
It is amazing how seldom Israel loses in a military battle. Sure, they might get beaten every time by the UN and other political pressures, but they somehow always win on the ground.
Posted by: Ogre at July 18, 2006 08:51 AM (o2crh)
7
I think this is Iran's way of dragging the US into war with them. Iran knows that we will help Israel and if the US helps Israel then Iran will feel that anything US is far game for them.
Posted by: Quality Weenie at July 18, 2006 12:22 PM (XG7jZ)
8
I have heard it proposed that Iran did this only after "weakening" the U.S. with Iraq. And yes, if Israel rises to the gauntlet here against Iran, the US will help -- and then Iran will have reason to attack us.
Posted by: Ogre at July 18, 2006 09:45 PM (o2crh)
9
Ogre, if proof is all you need to know that Iran and Syria have been behind this attack then perhaps you'd like to take a gander at the translations of quotes I posted on my site.
Plus there's plenty of intelligence (British, French, Italian), as well as plenty of missile fragments that show exactly who manufactured these missiles. Iranian manufacturing companies. Add to that the fact that Lebanese authorities stopped several Hezbollah and Palestenian leaders in the last 2 months returning from Syria with close to a million dollars in cash in their carryon baggage.
They were initially detained and later released upon Syrian intervention and threats. Now it seems clear to me what they needed that money for. When infrastructure collapses cash is the only currency that people will accept for secrecy, protection and supplies.
So if it were the US and canada in this conflict and canadians then coordinated with Mexicans to cut through border fences, kill a few National Guardsment, and then took a few of them hostage. Should we simply just do a good faith non-military effort to try and get them back and if we didn't succeed then stop.
How many times should Israel sign peace agreements with its neighbors only to have them continually violate those treaties. At what point should they stand up and say enough is enough. In the last few months when hand to air missiles landed in Israeli terrority the Israeli's did nothing. Instead they continued with the peace aggreement they had made and removed their own citizens from their homes to return the land to the palestinians. The response of the new Hamas government was more suicide bombings and press releases of threats and more retalliation if their demands were not met.
After following all the treaties and agreements made by the varioius factions in the middle east and seeing how they are repeatedly violated, I too now believe that negotiation is futile and brute force is the only thing Hamas and Hezbollah have and will ever respect. Notice that the members of the G8 never demanded that Israel stop the bombing, they simply criticized their response as being disproporianate.
Finally, at an Emergency meeting of the Arab League this past weekend 8 out of 15 countries condemned and found fault with Hamas & Hezbollah for their violent actions.
Oh shit a blackout just hit!
Plus there's plenty of intelligence (British, French, Italian), as well as plenty of missile fragments that show exactly who manufactured these missiles. Iranian manufacturing companies. Add to that the fact that Lebanese authorities stopped several Hezbollah and Palestenian leaders in the last 2 months returning from Syria with close to a million dollars in cash in their carryon baggage.
They were initially detained and later released upon Syrian intervention and threats. Now it seems clear to me what they needed that money for. When infrastructure collapses cash is the only currency that people will accept for secrecy, protection and supplies.
So if it were the US and canada in this conflict and canadians then coordinated with Mexicans to cut through border fences, kill a few National Guardsment, and then took a few of them hostage. Should we simply just do a good faith non-military effort to try and get them back and if we didn't succeed then stop.
How many times should Israel sign peace agreements with its neighbors only to have them continually violate those treaties. At what point should they stand up and say enough is enough. In the last few months when hand to air missiles landed in Israeli terrority the Israeli's did nothing. Instead they continued with the peace aggreement they had made and removed their own citizens from their homes to return the land to the palestinians. The response of the new Hamas government was more suicide bombings and press releases of threats and more retalliation if their demands were not met.
After following all the treaties and agreements made by the varioius factions in the middle east and seeing how they are repeatedly violated, I too now believe that negotiation is futile and brute force is the only thing Hamas and Hezbollah have and will ever respect. Notice that the members of the G8 never demanded that Israel stop the bombing, they simply criticized their response as being disproporianate.
Finally, at an Emergency meeting of the Arab League this past weekend 8 out of 15 countries condemned and found fault with Hamas & Hezbollah for their violent actions.
Oh shit a blackout just hit!
Posted by: michele at July 19, 2006 12:44 AM (fGLQs)
10
That's shocking from the Arab League. Usually they're completely united against Israel. I wonder if massive numbers of US troops in the middle east swayed their opinion.
I think Israel has known for decades that you cannot have peace with these terrorists. I've known it, so I'm pretty sure those on the ground have. My guess is that they've just been trying to avoid all-out war for as long as they can, likely to appease the Euro-trash who will frown on Israel no matter what.
And yes, you have some excellent quotes over there. Scary stuff these days, isn't it?
I think Israel has known for decades that you cannot have peace with these terrorists. I've known it, so I'm pretty sure those on the ground have. My guess is that they've just been trying to avoid all-out war for as long as they can, likely to appease the Euro-trash who will frown on Israel no matter what.
And yes, you have some excellent quotes over there. Scary stuff these days, isn't it?
Posted by: Ogre at July 19, 2006 11:41 AM (/k+l4)
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