Intentional Provocation?
Israel's disproportional response to Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers on the border of Lebanon is looking more and more like a deliberate attempt to inflame the Muslim world, especially Iran.
The Israeli goal of having the United States deal militarily with Iran had been increasingly unfeasible due to the quagmire in Iraq and the U.S. joining the Europeans in seeking a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear question.
Something needed to be done.
Israel has been the victim of countless attacks against their civilians over the years. Interesting is the timing of the response this time to an attack upon, not civilians, but uniformed soldiers.
The media in the United States is now repeating the questionable claim that Syria and Iran have "ordered" the Hezbollah actions on Israel's northern border. That's like saying that the U.S. -- the longtime supporter of Israel -- "ordered" Israel to unleash its fury upon Lebanon.
Another claim is that Hezbollah is attempting to take the Israeli prisoners to Iran.
Anything to ratchet up the American people to support any action Israel finds necessary.
The heavy emphasis upon Israeli casualties and downplaying of the larger number of Lebanese civilians killed and wounded is another tell as to the deeper agenda in this crisis.
President Bush's refusal to speak directly to Israeli President Olmert and our insistence upon "not telling Israel how to defend their country" is yet another giveaway. The United States has repeatedly over the years gotten Israel on the horn and instructed them to cut the counterproductive shit. Not this time, despite the (probably inaccurate) reports that Secretary of State Rice urged Israeli restraint and was told to "back off."
It is certainly not in the interests of the United States to have the Lebanese government, one of the two posterboys for Bush's democratization of the Middle-East (Iraq being the other), fall due to the Israeli attacks upon their infrastructure.
The neo-cons in power in Washington have interests that do not entirely coincide with the national interests of the United States. They are the ones who will make the most out of the current crisis involving Israel and its neighbors.
Watch for information operations that present compelling rationales for the necessity of widening the war to Syria and/or Iran.
With the midterm elections coming up, the timing couldn't be any better.
The Israeli goal of having the United States deal militarily with Iran had been increasingly unfeasible due to the quagmire in Iraq and the U.S. joining the Europeans in seeking a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear question.
Something needed to be done.
Israel has been the victim of countless attacks against their civilians over the years. Interesting is the timing of the response this time to an attack upon, not civilians, but uniformed soldiers.
The media in the United States is now repeating the questionable claim that Syria and Iran have "ordered" the Hezbollah actions on Israel's northern border. That's like saying that the U.S. -- the longtime supporter of Israel -- "ordered" Israel to unleash its fury upon Lebanon.
Another claim is that Hezbollah is attempting to take the Israeli prisoners to Iran.
Anything to ratchet up the American people to support any action Israel finds necessary.
The heavy emphasis upon Israeli casualties and downplaying of the larger number of Lebanese civilians killed and wounded is another tell as to the deeper agenda in this crisis.
President Bush's refusal to speak directly to Israeli President Olmert and our insistence upon "not telling Israel how to defend their country" is yet another giveaway. The United States has repeatedly over the years gotten Israel on the horn and instructed them to cut the counterproductive shit. Not this time, despite the (probably inaccurate) reports that Secretary of State Rice urged Israeli restraint and was told to "back off."
It is certainly not in the interests of the United States to have the Lebanese government, one of the two posterboys for Bush's democratization of the Middle-East (Iraq being the other), fall due to the Israeli attacks upon their infrastructure.
The neo-cons in power in Washington have interests that do not entirely coincide with the national interests of the United States. They are the ones who will make the most out of the current crisis involving Israel and its neighbors.
Watch for information operations that present compelling rationales for the necessity of widening the war to Syria and/or Iran.
With the midterm elections coming up, the timing couldn't be any better.
posted by Effwit at 8:31 AM
11 Comments:
Finally a call that is on the money. The mobilization and weight of this Israeli campaign was not mustered on the spur of the moment - and certainly not mustered on behalf of two soldiers. A major mobilization has been underway in Israel for over a year now. Everyone speaks of Israel's attack as reactionary. Humbug! It's linked to designs for Iran and pending actions against it. End of story.
Thanks Effwit.
Meatball One:
I guess I had to get one right eventually.
You are correct that the over-reaction in Lebanon is part of a planned scenario, they knew that Hezbollah would try to take some of the heat off Hamas from Israel's over-reaction in Gaza.
They were betting as much. Any move by Hezbollah was to be immediately greeted by a vigorous response.
It was designed with both Iran and Syria in mind.
Syria, though, will be first to feel the pain.
M1:
PS, I have heard that the two Israeli soldiers may have been captured on patrol on the Lebanese side of the border near Aita al-Shaab.
Goody goodies. So Syria after all.
Some British soldiers whose parents I know were stationed in Afghanistan late last year and were home for r&r around Xmas and spoke of Syria and what a f*ck up that will be if we hit them - as these soldiers assumed Syria was the reason for the quirky redistribution of forces de coalition . However the Brits were rather junior in their ranks and I put their Syria fears down to their uninitiated speculations. That something big was up as soldiers were being shuffled around the tables seemed apparent enough though. On that point I could agree with them. That it would indeed boil down to Syria...well, I just wrote that one off. But looking at things now...well, it does kinda make poetic sense...ie circling the wagon some like to call Iran.
PS Aren't you in fact correct most all of the time?
M1:
Syria will just be target practice for the big game.
So the limeys are willing to be dragged into yet another of the neo-cons' masterbatory inspirations? Nice.
As individuals, Brits have always shown a fine appreciation for the intricacies of dominant/submissive practices. It would seem that they have now reached a state of collective perfection.
PS, I am usually right. But only about non-important things.
;-)
Yes, well who can second guess the wisdom of American Idol's judges and juries?
M1:
Yeah, the English "public school" education is not to be sneered at.
Seems pretty clear to me that this was a set-up from the beginning by Israel, with complete support from their neo-con brethren. All over two soldiers "kidnapped" near the border (whichever side of that border it may have been). The fact that two soldiers ALLOWED themselves to be captured is one thing, and the fact that Israel acted as they did in response is the kicker. This was no tit for tat endeavor. This was a well-planned attack.
And isn't funny - and typical - how most public opinion in this country runs to the defense of the Israelis? It shows how successful and prudent their excessive propaganda efforts have been here in the U.S. Those poor, defenseless Jewish people are being picked on by the treacherous Muslim bullies again. Boo-hoo. Waaaaahhhhh.
What a load of crap! Israel has the most advanced and powerful military machine in the Middle East. And the bullying usually begins in Tel Aviv. "Ruthless" and "treacherous" are accurate descriptors of the Israeli way of doing things. Members of PNAC and AIPAC are counting on that!
This unfolding mess could make Iraq look like a Sunday picnic in Central Park. It's going to get messy. Very, very messy.
DrewL:
It is really shameless how the propagandized American people reflexively support Israel. They show no concern about the serious damage to the international reputation of the USA from our longtime financial and military enabling of Israel's excesses towards the Palestinians. Not to mention the damage now being done in Lebanon.
And you are right that the PNACers and AIPACers are most pleased with the developments of the last few days.
I found it amusing - and maddening at the same time - when President Bush said today that the Israeli attacks were in response to a kidnapping of two soldiers AND the launching of hundreds of missiles into Israel. Huh? Kiddnapping? Okay, I'll buy that. But missiles? Those didn't begin until long after Israel started bombarding Lebanon with ordinance.
What Bush said today was nothing but a flat-out lie. Of course, he and his minions are well versed in that tactic. Misinformation and disinformation are S.O.P. for them.
DrewL:
The word "kidnapping" is being used by certain parties to describe what happened to the two Israeli soldiers on the Lebanese border and the one near the Gaza Strip. A more accurate word would have been "captured."
Interestingly enough, the two American soldiers who were captured and beheaded in reprisal for the rape of the 14 year old girl in Mahmoudiya, were described by the American command as having been "kidnapped" too.
The semantics of the use of the word "kidnapped" here portrays acts of war against uniformed soldiers as having been "terrorist" attacks.
Also, you are quite right that Hezbollah started firing the rockets against Israeli targets only after the IDF overreacted by attacking targets (including civilians) inside Lebanon.
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