Following up on Israel’s bombing of Syria.
Following up on Israel’s bombing of Syria.
The New Yorker’s Seymour Hersh writes that his three-month investigation of Israel’s September 2007 bombing of a facility inside Syria has yielded no “solid evidence of ongoing nuclear-weapons programs” at the site:
Joseph Cirincione, the director for nuclear policy at the Center for American Progress, a Washington, D.C., think tank, told me, “Syria does not have the technical, industrial, or financial ability to support a nuclear-weapons program. I’ve been following this issue for fifteen years, and every once in a while a suspicion arises and we investigate and there’s nothing. There was and is no nuclear-weapons threat from Syria. This is all political.” Cirincione castigated the press corps for its handling of the story. “I think some of our best journalists were used,” he said.
Hersh discussed his story on CNN yesterday:
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More fear-and-smear from the Treason party GOP. What a surprise.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:29 amwell duh does come to mind….
February 4th, 2008 at 10:29 amBush is getting Syriaous…
February 4th, 2008 at 10:40 amIt’s so good to know that the US still has a handful of journalists like Hersh who actually probe into real issues. Too bad the ones who do are always smeared as liberal extremists just because they report on events happening in reality.
I personally like Israel’s approach though and think it should apply to every nuclear weapons and chemical/biological weapons factory and storage facility on the planet. Get rid of ‘em all and let’s pretend to be civilized for a change.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:42 amI personally like Israel’s approach though
Comment by Stupid Git — February 4, 2008 @ 10:42 am
Which part? Dropping bombs on your neighbors based on circumstantial evidence?
February 4th, 2008 at 10:50 amDropping bombs on your neighbors based on circumstantial evidence?
Comment by toasterhead
Why not? It’s the American Way!! (although Iraq isn’t exactly our neighbor).
We all know this was just a ‘message’ that was concocted to let Iran know that Israel is cocked and locked.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:00 amAnyone else concerned by the undersea cable cuts recently? I think it says a lot about this administration that something such as an undersea communications cut can lead to conspiracy theories! I wouldn’t put anything past these criminals.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:02 amCirincione castigated the press corps for its handling of the story. “I think some of our best journalists were used,â€
They’re not journalists, they’re stenographers and pundits.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:02 amIt’s hard to believe all the corporate media reported the Pentagon’s version of the story. And now when the story turns out to be bogus we’ll never hear a correction.
Kinda like that Iranian speedboat story from a couple weeks ago.
I’m sure the next psy-ops, control-the-public’s-mind story is being coordinated right now between the CIA and someone in Cheney’s bunker.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:04 amThis situation is very strange indeed, and I always thought this passage from The New York Sun might provide a clue:
It certainly seems like a plausible explanation of the mutual silence over the incident – God forbid anyone offend the Saudis, no matter how many Americans they kill . . .
http://www.asecondlookatthesaudis.com
This might also tend to explain why the “surge” appears to be getting results in tamping down the attacks of Al Qaeda in Iraq. The timing seems to be right. Still, not sure why Israel would go along with this. Maybe a quid pro quo for our unconditional support of their offensive in Lebanon? And they do seem to be in a (slightly) better position to mount a surprise attack.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:06 amAnyone else concerned by the undersea cable cuts recently? I think it says a lot about this administration that something such as an undersea communications cut can lead to conspiracy theories! I wouldn’t put anything past these criminals.
Comment by robertoroberto — February 4, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Net Neutraility without all the messy legislation.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:09 amNuclear, chemical or other lethal weapons plant–I believe that Israel bombing Syria was justified. Denying radical Islamist groups like Hezbollah (and their cohorts in the Syrian government) the right to build a lethal weapons infrastructure is acceptable. This was a low to no-casualty operation, which is also admirable
February 4th, 2008 at 11:43 amTrial Balloon for the upcoming Israeli pre-emptive strike on Iran.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:10 pmNuclear, chemical or other lethal weapons plant–I believe that Mexico bombing Texas was justified.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:10 pmBut the U.S. is not a fundamental Islamist power… not following your logic here.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:15 pmBut the U.S. is not a fundamental Islamist power… not following your logic here.
Comment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
Neither is Syria, Einstein
February 4th, 2008 at 12:34 pmSyria is a “strongman dictatorship” and much more secular.
Wayne, the Syrian government is one of the most prolific state sponsors of terrorism–terrorism in the name of Islam–that exists in the world today. They remain an ardent financier of Hezbollah’s savagery, and many of the Iranian weapons making their way to the insurgents in Iraq pass through Syria first.
Syria is secular? Is that why honor killing of raped women is allowed there? Is that why Article 3 of the constitution says that Islamic jurisprudence is to be the law of the land?
I suggest reading up on these issues from a reputable source(out of the MoveOn, ThinkProgress realm), my friend. May I recommend a great organization called the council on foreign relations? You can start here:
http://www.cfr.org/publication/9368/
February 4th, 2008 at 12:51 pmComment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Egypt and Syria are specifically are called Arab Republics, they are not theocracies as you claim.
Your ignorance is astounding
Saudi Arabia sponsors and funds more terrorists than any other country in the world, yet you Chimpy-humpers drool every time Bush holds hands and plays kissy with the Saudi Prince.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:59 pmWayne, the Syrian government is one of the most prolific state sponsors of terrorism–terrorism in the name of Islam–that exists in the world today. They remain an ardent financier of Hezbollah’s savagery, and many of the Iranian weapons making their way to the insurgents in Iraq pass through Syria first.
Comment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
The U.S. is also historically one of the most prolific state sponsors of terrorism, from the Afghan Mujahedeen to Angolan rebel groups to rightist groups in Latin America to the tribes we’re bribing in Iraq.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:03 pmMay I recommend a great organization called the council on foreign relations? -Thinkunbalanced
May I recommend you do some homework? We’ve checked out the CFR, Trilateral Commission, Bilderberg Group, Carlyle Group and American Enterprise Institute.
Guess what? We don’t support organizations whose mission is to globalize corporate controls.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:20 pmut the U.S. is not a fundamental Islamist power… not following your logic here.
Comment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
Really? I think the US is indeed a fundamentalist Muslim power, with a christian facade to fool the idiots on the right.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:27 pmComment by Wayne — February 4, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
Ah, Wayne…entering into the all-too-expected low level groveling and lodging of ad hominem attacks that is frequently voiced by extremists of either the Left or the Right.
I am afraid you are not responding to the assertions I have made: Syria’s direct support for Islamic extremist organizations, compounded with their installation of such policies as the honor killing I mentioned before and the reliance on an Islamic jurisprudential tradition make them a far less secularized state than you are describing them to be.
Yes, it is true that the Saudi Wahabbis are more radical than the Syrian government–and they should be viewed as such.
Also right on Egypt–it is a country that acknowledges Israel’s right to exist and engages in open diplomatic relations with the state. It should not be compared with Syria which funds and supports the animalistic savagery of suicide bombers
February 4th, 2008 at 1:36 pmIt should not be compared with Syria which funds and supports the animalistic savagery of suicide bombers
Comment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
and yet you defend the saudis for doing the same thing? And you offer no proof that Syria does this? talk about your low-level grovelling, you’ve reached the bottom. and nobody approaches the savagery of animals like US pilots dropping their loads of death on families asleep in their beds. The cowards of the Bush terror machine.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:40 pmsuch policies as the honor killing I mentioned before and the reliance on an Islamic jurisprudential tradition make them a far less secularized state than you are describing them to be.
Not state policies, by the way. nice try at smearing the messenger, though. The ususal wingnut lies.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:42 pmLefty “Patriot”
Saudi Arabia should be condemned of being a state sponsor of terrorism–and we should wean ourselves off of our dependence on them for foreign oil.
I take offense to your equation of suicide bombing to U.S. airstrikes.
Documentation of Syria’s record of supporting terrorism. This is from the CFR/State Department/CIA Factbook record on Syria:
substantial amounts of financial, training, weapons, explosives, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid,” according to the State Department. Iranian arms bound for Hezbollah regularly pass through Syria, experts say. Syria, which has effectively occupied and controlled neighboring Lebanon since 1990, has also let Hezbollah operate in Lebanon and attack Israel, often ratcheting up regional tensions. Hezbollah’s July 2006 strikes on Israel prompted allegations that Syria and Iran were using the group to deflect international attention from other issues, such as Iran’s contentious nuclear program.
The United States also accuses Syria of letting militants, who support the Iraqi insurgency, easily pass through its border with Iraq. In September 2004, Syria hosted border security discussions with the Iraqis and adopted a number of measures, but U.S. officials feel more needs to be done to prevent terrorists from taking advantage of the Syrian border with Iraq. The State Department’s 2005 Country Reports on Terrorism call Syria a “facilitation hub” for terrorist groups operating in Iraq. Syria has also provided training, weapons, safe haven, and logistical support to both leftist and Islamist Palestinian hard-liners. The far-left Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command and the fundamentalist Palestinian Islamic Jihad have their headquarters in Damascus, and other terrorist groups, including the Islamist group Hamas and the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, maintain offices there.
From 1980 until 1998, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which sought an independent Kurdish state, used Syria as a headquarters and base of operations against neighboring Turkey.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:45 pmNot state policies, by the way. nice try at smearing the messenger, though. The ususal wingnut lies.
Comment by Lefty Patriot — February 4, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
Honor Killings are a state policy, my lefty friend. Not sure if you read the Times or the Christian Science Monitor, but state-condoned honor killings in syria are a major topic of discussion these days.
You can read a little bit about them here:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0214/p07s02-wome.html
If you are going to stoop close enough to the floor to defend Syria, it would be useful for you to have a position that rests on tenable facts
February 4th, 2008 at 1:49 pmf you are going to stoop close enough to the floor to defend Syria, it would be useful for you to have a position that rests on tenable facts
Comment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
and Syria had no nuclear program in place when israel bombed them, none. if you are going to lick the ass of israel, get some facts behind your tongue. honor killing is a religious illness, not a state policy.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:55 pmit would be useful for you to have a position that rests on tenable facts
Comment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
repeating your lies doesn’t make them facts.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:57 pm“I take offense to your equation of suicide bombing to U.S. airstrikes.”
Of course you do. You’re a supporter of mass-murder and genocide, and the bombing of children and families from a mile up. At least suicide bombers have the courage of their convictions, something which you and the US Air farce lack completely. But perhaps you’re right: I insult the courgeaous suicide bombers by comparing them to our fundy flyboys.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:02 pmA religious illness that is solidly condoned by the Syrian government…with an estimated 300 women put to death this year for “honor”reasons. The law that protects such brutality is a Syrian, state law. I feel very comfortable about my facts.
What was initially presumed to be a nuclear plant was now discovered it was a missile plant. Syria uses their weapons for terroristic purposes. Nuclear, chemical, or otherwise lethal–who cares. Nations like Israel and the U.S. have a good faith responsibility to make sure radical nations like Syria are stripped of their weapon infrastructure.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:06 pmSyria uses their weapons for terroristic purposes. Nuclear, chemical, or otherwise lethal–who cares. Nations like Israel and the U.S. have a good faith responsibility to make sure radical nations like Syria are stripped of their weapon infrastructure.
Comment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
bullshit. USA and Israel are the leading terrorists in the world.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:11 pmThe whole Arab world wants peace with Isreal IF only it would move its borders back to 1967 as the UN resolution states , OH except it was Vetoed by America at 14/1
Isreal is becoming more hated every day, the shit stirrers
February 4th, 2008 at 2:13 pmA religious illness that is solidly condoned by the Syrian government…with an estimated 300 women put to death this year for “honorâ€reasons. The law that protects such brutality is a Syrian, state law. I feel very comfortable about my facts.
Comment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
Take a good look at Saudi Arabia, and the daily public beheadings, floggings and stoning done by the Saudi government.
Saudi law. Carried out by their religious police.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:21 pmTell me how many Saudi women are condemned each year in “honor killings”? *hint, more than 300
Nations like Israel and the U.S. have a good faith responsibility to make sure radical nations like Syria are stripped of their weapon infrastructure.
Comment by ThinkBalanced — February 4, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
By your argument, other countries would have the right to strip all weapons from the currently most imperialistic nation in the world then, the US. What other country is currently occupying 2 foriegn countries and talking about invading more?
The world does not suffer imperialistic hegemonies for long.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:26 pm“I take offense to your equation of suicide bombing to U.S. airstrikes.â€
you should be embarrassed to utter such an ignorant statement…..how can you claim to be objective?
February 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pmLike I said, Wayne. Saudi Arabia should be CONDEMNED for those actions too.
I know that alll you passionate liberals really are good natured people–who strive to stand up for individuality and human rights. It’s important for you not to let that defense of liberty lead you to defend terrible places like Syria.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pmNations like Israel and the U.S. have a good faith responsibility to make sure radical nations like Syria are stripped of their weapon infrastructure.
Comment by ThinkBalanced
who says?
February 4th, 2008 at 2:29 pmIt’s important for you not to let that defense of liberty lead you to defend terrible places like Syria.
Comment by ThinkBalanced
I hold you in equal contempt…..just at different times and for different reasons…..
syria, etc for eating their own and not banding together against you. you for the obvious
February 4th, 2008 at 2:31 pmFred, using children to blow up civillians is far worse than when U.S. planes incidentally hit civillians.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:32 pmSyria tried to push Israel into the sea once. It is not going to happen again, guys. The jews are not going down like that All the aggressive liberal blogging in the world won’t change the fundamental reality that ISRAEL is HERE TO STAY.
Accepting the existence of Israel, we should work within the realm of politics and diplomacy to find a mutually-agreeable two state solution that can assuage the anger of the Arab states and allow Palestinians to return to some semblance of normalcy.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:36 pmgaza is the tel aviv warsaw ghetto.
I am sick to death of seeing modern well equiped, well fed and armed armies fighting poor people with rocks and home made bombs in the poor peoples streets…….why are you doing this?
You cut off the civilians water, food, medical…….
Before I grew up and saw this happening I thought the Germans during WWII were the only monsters capable of such things…..now I know I was wrong..
never underestimate mans capability for inhumanity to his fellow man.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:36 pmFred, using children to blow up civillians is far worse than when U.S. planes incidentally hit civillians.
Comment by ThinkBalanced
I see no difference at all……
Syria tried to push Israel into the sea once. It is not going to happen again, guys. The jews are not going down like that All the aggressive liberal blogging in the world won’t change the fundamental reality that ISRAEL is HERE TO STAY.
Comment by ThinkBalanced
The land where israel exists was Palestine for 2000 years before 1947……who pushed who….where…….can we say refugee camps for 50 years under israelie control…..while the new inhabitants moved into the homes of the evicted palestinians…….who still have keys to their old homes where they were born….yet jews live there…….
I am not anti-semite but I despise what israel has done.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:39 pmif the palestinian government had the wherewithall to control the barbarism of its subset of civillians who rencounce all that is humane and seek to blow Israeli civillians up simply for living in Israel–then the tanks, checkpoints, and targeted killings would leave.
It is uncomfortable to be a palestinian–I agree. That is why we need to move to a two state solution (the goal of the majority of Israelis and the Israeli government). The more rockets that keep on pouring into Israel, the more suicide bombers that keep running up to the border, the more the “occupation” will continue.
Like Mahmoud Abbas acknowledges: Palestinians must cease attacks on civillians.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:42 pmThe whole arab world has said it wants to be friends with isreal IF its moves its borders back to the ones agreed by the UN , The UN resolution wants Isreal to move back BUT it was vetoed by America at 14/1
From what I see the world is sussing Isreal out every day and we will all had enough of the Isrealis VERY SOON
February 4th, 2008 at 2:43 pmRefugee Camps? Of all the post-WWII refugee claims, the palestinian’s, “the right of return,” is by far the weakest. WHy have all the other groups been integrated into their host societies, while the palestinians remain largely in miserable camps, perpetuated by the Arab hosts?
The Arab countries hold palestinians purposefully in these camps for political reasons, to foster resentment towards Israel and encourage some “triumphant” return.
Well guess what? Israel was given to the Jews. If Arabs want to live there, they can do so in peace and stop attacking civillians.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:47 pmIt is uncomfortable to be an Israelie–I agree.
but you could try……..you never have……
February 4th, 2008 at 2:48 pmWell guess what? Israel was given to the Jews. If Arabs want to live there, they can do so in peace and stop attacking civillians.
Comment by ThinkBalanced
that’s the good attitude I was talking about…..really trying to get along aren’t you?
February 4th, 2008 at 2:49 pmNot sure what sources you are thinking of when you think that the whole Arab world has said it wants to be friends with Israel if it moves its borders back to the 1967 limits, but I might give you another way to remember these Arab “friends” of Israel
Israel defended itself in 1967 against a genocidal attempt–cosigned by ALL the arab nations–to eradicate the land of the Jews. They did not succeed, and we must move on from here.
I think the future points more towards Arab countries moving towards the example of Egypt and Jordan, which have admirably recognized Israel and sought peaceful means of interaction with them.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:51 pmIsrael defended itself in 1967 against a genocidal attempt–cosigned by ALL the arab nations–to eradicate the land of the Jews. They did not succeed, and we must move on from here.
Comment by ThinkBalanced
Well, that’s ancient history for one thing……..but even at that…..what did you think was going to happen when you move the palestinians out of thier homland and rename it to Israel in the middle of Arab world? Where you were outnumbered 50 to 1 or maybe more…. Seriously, there was so much love between the Arabs and Jews I guess you thoght it would be just fine……
You did not succeed without help from the US…..you’re not so great just by yourself you see.
Please address my post #44. Until you do, I will not respond again.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:59 pmI think the future points more towards Arab countries moving towards the example of Egypt and Jordan, which have admirably recognized Israel and sought peaceful means of interaction with them.
Comment by ThinkBalanced
Most of the world thinks it is Israel that needs to try harder to get along…..the only one holding out for you is the US…..you know this to be true. That could change in the next generation and Israel should be considering alternatives to wiping out those who oppose them as that may not always be an option for you.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:03 pmYour post #44? What, your assertion that Gaza resembles the Warsaw ghetto?
It is true that Gaza is a terrible place to live for the average Palestinian. In your comparison, you are neglecting one crucial difference:
Jews were just living in Poland and were subjected to horrible persecution simply for being Jewish. The Jews were not firing rockets at German cities and blowing up German children…The oppression that has been wrought on the palestinians is a defensive response to terrorist acts on Israeli civillians. If the terrorism stops, so will the “occupation.”
Someone who compares the Jews and their efforts at survival to the Nazis should not really be dignified with debate (it is also a remarkably unoriginal position), but I agree to speak with you.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:18 pmSomeone who compares the Jews and their efforts at survival to the Nazis should not really be dignified with debate (it is also a remarkably unoriginal position), but I agree to speak with you.
Comment by ThinkBalanced
Someone who can’t see the simiarities should not really be dignified with debate……I will let someone else give you thier opinion…so you don’t think it’s just me……..see you have fooled yourself into thinking that this is ok…
February 4th, 2008 at 3:26 pmFred, I am sorry Israel has so broken your heart in their efforts at self-defense. A world without them would be far, far worse. Imagine another radical Islamic country in place of Israel instead of a democracy.
The United States supports Israel not because of some cabal of backroom lobbyists making the U.S. do stuff that is not in its best interest. They support Israel because the country’s priorities are aligned with our own.
The war in Iraq was not the answer to middle east terrorism, but supporting Israel is a NECESSITY if we wish to promote any kind of stability in the region.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:39 pmIsrael’s real strategic asset is its powerful lobby in the United States, and this lobby is already facing what it dreads most – becoming a public political issue. Sooner or later, the American public will rebel. What I fear is that when it happens, it will come in the form of a rebirth of anti-Semitism. That will be a terrible price to pay for Israeli intransigence and ideological and religious fanaticism.
18 ISREALI DEAD IN ROCKET ATTACKS SINCE 2000
4734 Palestinians killed by Isrealis since 2000
Isreal sucks and so does America for sticking up for these murdering land thiefs
February 4th, 2008 at 3:46 pmIs it just me, or is North Korea’s alleged role in this whole affair seem a bit downplayed?
Everyone seems to be knocking each other out trying to justify Israel’s strike, yet the mere fact that you supposedly have a country that Bush labeled part of the “Axis of Evil” would present a far greater reason to be concerned.
Has anyone brought this to North Korea’s attention? The most recent news on the six-party talks leads me to believe “no, no one has”.
If the US and Israel are convinced that North Korea was helping Syria develop a nuclear capability, then where is the public outrage aimed at Pyongyang?
Or is the evidence not so solid as it appears?
February 4th, 2008 at 4:20 pmNo, just the part of destroying any and all WMD on the planet. I’d be happier if they’d start in their own backyard first though. Same for the U.S. It’s just sad how such “powerful” countries are so insecure they need to have massive stockpiles of civilization destroying weapons. I feel like it’s all just a giant pissing contest reminiscent of the final scene in Reservoir Dogs where we’ll all end up dead because the powers that be are just too damn stupid to back down.
Humanity is truly inhumane.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:32 pmLiberals are all gay
February 4th, 2008 at 7:16 pm“Liberals are all gay”Comment by fisher
February 4th, 2008 at 9:19 pmSays the party of Gannon,Foley,Sanchez, and Craig. :)
Liberals are all gay
Comment by fisher
No, we just know who the gay people are that are in our lives……you guys are the ones that sneak around and do it…….so that kinda makes you closet liberals doesn’t it……….
February 5th, 2008 at 12:17 amIsrael and Syria came very close to a peace agreement in early 2000. The Israeli government agreed to withdraw from Syrian territory occupied since the June 1967 war in return for Syria agreeing to security guarantees, normalized relations, the demilitarization of the Golan Heights and the cessation of support for radical anti-Israel groups. Only a dispute regarding the exact demarcation of the border, constituting no more than a few hundred yards, prevented a final settlement.
With the death of Syrian president Hafez al-Assad and the coming to power of the right-wing Likud Bloc and Sharon in 2000, talks were indefinitely suspended. Assad’s successor was his mild mannered brother, an opthamologist, called for the talks to resume where they left off, but both Israel and the United States rejected this offer.
When the war criminal Sharon took over in Israel in 2000 and Bush war criminal to be took over the US in 2001, all hopes for peace in the region ended.
The neocons running Israel today are very closely aligned with the neocons in Washington. Their objective is to break up the Middle East into small pieces and run by Israeli/Us puppets and have Israel and the US dominate the region for their own interests. At the end of the day Israels borders will be vastly expanded to include Greater Israel and the Palestinians relocated to the new Palestine, called Jordan today (our allies in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt will be “modified” after we finish up with Iran, Syria and Lebanon). I do not blame the average Israeli for their countries polices any more than I do Americans for our countries policies, but both governments are doing evil things. Perhaps they feel the ends justifies the means….
The ideas behind todays actions were outlined by Israeli Oded Yinon (A strategy for Israel) in the early 80’s and by the “Clean Break” recommendations to Israel in 1996 that was written by US-Zionist neocons that are advising the Bush administration today (Pearl, Feith) .
People forget that Syria was part of our coalition to force Iraq out of Kuwait and that they allowed in most of the refugees fleeing Iraq during the height of the violence in recent years. They were forced to stop recently due to the cost (unlike Jordan we did not help them with this), and our threats and getting bombed likely did not help their willingness to bear this burden. Many of the refugees were Christians who were victims of the Kurds, Shia and Sunni, while we did nothing to protect them and the MSM ignored their plight.
As far as some of the comments on Lebanon go, Israel attacked and then invaded Lebanon as a result of some annoying PLO attacks on their northern borders in 1981/1982, and then occupied Lebanon until 2000.
Sharon was charged for war crimes over the Sabra and Shatilla massacres in 1982 that killed a minimum of 2000 people, and probably more.
Hezbollah did not exist until Israel attacked and then occupied Southern Lebanon, and even Europe has never recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. They were a resistance against an illegal occupation, supported by Iran and Syria. So you can say Hezbollah was another of Israels creations, just like we created Al Qaeda and Islamism in Iran.
The attacks by Hezbollah since Israel withdrew, feeble as they were, are due to Shebaa Farms occupation and the Lebanese prisoners held by Israel which have not been released, both in violation of UN resolutions. The UN has ruled Shebaa Farms is Lebanons territory. and Lebanon was not involved in the 1967 war. So Israel still claims it is Syrian. The 1967 war was started by Israel due to concerns about Egypt, a preemptive war as it is called today.
In 2006 Hezbollah kidnapped several Israeli soldiers and killed 2 others, while lobbing a few rockets at military bases set up near Israeli Arab villages as a diversion (hiding behind civilians?). This was intended for the purpose of exchanging the prisoners for their own prisoners. Israel in the past has always negotiated the release. This time they used it as an excuse to attack Lebanon, including Beirut and areas that were not inhabited by Hezbollah.
I do not say there is any problem with Israelis responding to the attack, but it was way, way out of proportion, with 900 civilans being killed along with billions in infrastructre damage. Before Israel withdrew from Lebanon they dumped all kinds of cluster bombs on the south, many which did not explode, and along with the depleted uranium used, many Lebanese will continue dying or being delimbed even w/o any additional attacks.
I do not mean to make Syria and Hezbollah out as total innocents. Syria, while present in Lebanon at the request of the government during the civil war from 1976 did not leave in 1986 when requested, until 2005. This may or may not have been justified by fears Israel would invade after they left, or they wanted to stay in Lebanon as leverage for a peace deal with Israel. After leaving Lebanon in 2005 guess what happens, duh, Israel attacks Lebanon 1 year later. They may have had more ambitous designs that were thwarted by Hezbollahs defensive tactics that caused more damage than they expected.
Then they bomb Syria in 2007.
With neighbours like Israel I imagine property is real cheap.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:56 am