We Should Stand By Israel
Of course, many are aware of the current and growing war between Israel and its neighbors these past few weeks. Through blatant acts of terrorism, Hamas and Hezbollah engaged in themurder and kidnapping of Israeli soldiers, plus a new round of rocket attacks, despite their assurances (at least Hamas’) that they would attempt to adhere to a ceasefire. Israel apparently has had enough and has made the decision of whether to roll over and be terrorized or take action.
The United States is and must stand behind Israel in this instance. Of course, the UN, obsolete a body as it is, attempted to pass a resolution condemning Israel, but the U.S. veto squashed it. There have been calls by many European and Arab nations for the U.S. to intervene and stop Israel. I have to ask the question. Why? The United States has adopted a policy of aggressive defense and even preemptive action to stop future terrorist strikes. Why should we deny Israel that option? How hypocritical would that be?
Of course, those demanding it are generally also no big fan of the United States’ policy on unilateral action either. Deliberate acts of aggression against a sovereign nation and its people must be met with all force that can be brought to bear. When a mosquito bites you, do you scold it? Or do you swat and kill it? Well, if you’re not a Berkeley student, you squash it and move on. You don’t tap it. You don’t brush it (unless you want stung again). You make sure it can’t do that anymore. Terrorists of the Islamofascist variety fall into this category.
Combining the Mohammedan legacy of conversion through conquest (by the sword) with the racial superiority, anti-Jew, socialist mindset of the fascist governments of old has bred a new and much deadlier breed of warrior who wages war through terror. Hence, Islamofascist. I just wanted to make sure you all understood my definition.
Sadly, good people are and will be hurt by this. Lebanon, with almost half of its population Christian and violently opposed to Hezbollah, as well as the Muslim part of the population that wishes to coexist with the Christian tribes and with Israel, will suffer greatly for Hezbollah’s stranglehold and Syria’s legacy of control on parts of Lebanon. This isn’t going to win Israel any new friends, but war rarely makes friends of those stuck in the middle of the battle. On the economic side, there’s the world oil supply, which seems to rise in cost daily as the MidEast remains unstable. We were able to keep the price stable only by tolerating despots, zealots and fools to run things in the region. Now that this policy has been shown to do more harm than good, we and the rest of the world will be left with the financial consequences. Oil will be more expensive.
Like most armchair historians at this stage, I have my own thoughts as to how this could play out. One, the terrorists will cave to Israel’s demands and return the hostages. This is not very likely, although there’s a glimmer of hope that perhaps they’ll have no choice. Two, Syria will join the fighting. Either Israel will attack them or they’ll use Israel’s operation in south Lebanon as their stated provocation and send troops back into Bekaa. They’ve been waiting for such an excuse to continue their designs of conquest on Lebanon.
Likely, Syria will not enter the fray unless it can be reasonably sure Iran will back it. Syria knows that militarily it cannot outlast or outfight the Israelis and so will need Iran’s muscle to strengthen its spine. Iran has been wanting a renewed military conflict with Israel for many years now, and with the madman Ahmadinejad running the show now, it seems all the more likely. This whole affair could be on the marching orders of Iran and Syria. Hezbollah is fully bankrolled by them and wouldn't wipe it's rear without sayso from Tehran or Damscus. Frankly, Israel has every right to hit Syria and Assad. The fascist Baath's there have been asking for it for some time. Iran, well, Iran has a great population but a world class group of fanatics for leaders. For all the wailing and gnashing of teeth from the Left that Bush and his administration are making the U.S. a theocracy, I would suggest to them they visit Iran and see what real theocracy truly is.
I think Jordan, Egypt and the rest of the Arab world will sit this one out and see who ends up winning. Oh they will likely shout and bluster to no end, but they won’t fire a shot. Everyone still remembers ’67 and ’73, at least the leadership does, and no Arab nation wants a repeat of that. The major powers are sort of an x factor. Will they enter? Will they not? It’s in no one’s interest besides the United States’. Russia may send aid to Iran if it gets in, but Putin won’t risk involving his nation any more deeply. France may use the opportunity to sell some more arms and get richer on others’ misery. I’m sure some of our defense contractors will do the same.
In summation, this event was provoked by terrorists hoping to goad Israel into a retaliatory act, hoping to further destabilize the region possibly even at the behest of some of the region's emerging powers. Such groups thrive on the chaos this sort of thing generates. But it’s also the only way to really stomp them into the ground. They don’t understand reason. They don’t fade away without press. You can’t ignore them. They just kill until they are killed. More may replace them as long as this brand of thought remains taught in schools and fostered by governments with the money and means to do so, but at least these will be dead. In the meantime, the rest of the world will have to suffer through this escalation and pray that things don’t get any worse, because they have an annoying habit of doing just that.
Of course, many are aware of the current and growing war between Israel and its neighbors these past few weeks. Through blatant acts of terrorism, Hamas and Hezbollah engaged in themurder and kidnapping of Israeli soldiers, plus a new round of rocket attacks, despite their assurances (at least Hamas’) that they would attempt to adhere to a ceasefire. Israel apparently has had enough and has made the decision of whether to roll over and be terrorized or take action.
The United States is and must stand behind Israel in this instance. Of course, the UN, obsolete a body as it is, attempted to pass a resolution condemning Israel, but the U.S. veto squashed it. There have been calls by many European and Arab nations for the U.S. to intervene and stop Israel. I have to ask the question. Why? The United States has adopted a policy of aggressive defense and even preemptive action to stop future terrorist strikes. Why should we deny Israel that option? How hypocritical would that be?
Of course, those demanding it are generally also no big fan of the United States’ policy on unilateral action either. Deliberate acts of aggression against a sovereign nation and its people must be met with all force that can be brought to bear. When a mosquito bites you, do you scold it? Or do you swat and kill it? Well, if you’re not a Berkeley student, you squash it and move on. You don’t tap it. You don’t brush it (unless you want stung again). You make sure it can’t do that anymore. Terrorists of the Islamofascist variety fall into this category.
Combining the Mohammedan legacy of conversion through conquest (by the sword) with the racial superiority, anti-Jew, socialist mindset of the fascist governments of old has bred a new and much deadlier breed of warrior who wages war through terror. Hence, Islamofascist. I just wanted to make sure you all understood my definition.
Sadly, good people are and will be hurt by this. Lebanon, with almost half of its population Christian and violently opposed to Hezbollah, as well as the Muslim part of the population that wishes to coexist with the Christian tribes and with Israel, will suffer greatly for Hezbollah’s stranglehold and Syria’s legacy of control on parts of Lebanon. This isn’t going to win Israel any new friends, but war rarely makes friends of those stuck in the middle of the battle. On the economic side, there’s the world oil supply, which seems to rise in cost daily as the MidEast remains unstable. We were able to keep the price stable only by tolerating despots, zealots and fools to run things in the region. Now that this policy has been shown to do more harm than good, we and the rest of the world will be left with the financial consequences. Oil will be more expensive.
Like most armchair historians at this stage, I have my own thoughts as to how this could play out. One, the terrorists will cave to Israel’s demands and return the hostages. This is not very likely, although there’s a glimmer of hope that perhaps they’ll have no choice. Two, Syria will join the fighting. Either Israel will attack them or they’ll use Israel’s operation in south Lebanon as their stated provocation and send troops back into Bekaa. They’ve been waiting for such an excuse to continue their designs of conquest on Lebanon.
Likely, Syria will not enter the fray unless it can be reasonably sure Iran will back it. Syria knows that militarily it cannot outlast or outfight the Israelis and so will need Iran’s muscle to strengthen its spine. Iran has been wanting a renewed military conflict with Israel for many years now, and with the madman Ahmadinejad running the show now, it seems all the more likely. This whole affair could be on the marching orders of Iran and Syria. Hezbollah is fully bankrolled by them and wouldn't wipe it's rear without sayso from Tehran or Damscus. Frankly, Israel has every right to hit Syria and Assad. The fascist Baath's there have been asking for it for some time. Iran, well, Iran has a great population but a world class group of fanatics for leaders. For all the wailing and gnashing of teeth from the Left that Bush and his administration are making the U.S. a theocracy, I would suggest to them they visit Iran and see what real theocracy truly is.
I think Jordan, Egypt and the rest of the Arab world will sit this one out and see who ends up winning. Oh they will likely shout and bluster to no end, but they won’t fire a shot. Everyone still remembers ’67 and ’73, at least the leadership does, and no Arab nation wants a repeat of that. The major powers are sort of an x factor. Will they enter? Will they not? It’s in no one’s interest besides the United States’. Russia may send aid to Iran if it gets in, but Putin won’t risk involving his nation any more deeply. France may use the opportunity to sell some more arms and get richer on others’ misery. I’m sure some of our defense contractors will do the same.
In summation, this event was provoked by terrorists hoping to goad Israel into a retaliatory act, hoping to further destabilize the region possibly even at the behest of some of the region's emerging powers. Such groups thrive on the chaos this sort of thing generates. But it’s also the only way to really stomp them into the ground. They don’t understand reason. They don’t fade away without press. You can’t ignore them. They just kill until they are killed. More may replace them as long as this brand of thought remains taught in schools and fostered by governments with the money and means to do so, but at least these will be dead. In the meantime, the rest of the world will have to suffer through this escalation and pray that things don’t get any worse, because they have an annoying habit of doing just that.
posted by Rob Beck | 6:23 PM
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