Time to Change Course in the Middle East

http://blog.heritage.org/ ^ | June 1, 2010 | Conn Caroll

[Biggirl]

Early Monday morning in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea, helicopters lowered Israeli Commandos onto a Turkish-flagged ferry carrying 600 passengers determined to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Beset by activists armed with poles, knives and guns, the Israelis defended themselves, and the resulting violence left at least nine dead. Hours later, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report claiming that Iran now has enough nuclear fuel, with further enrichment, to make two nuclear weapons. These two stories are not unrelated. And they ought to serve as a signal to the Obama administration that it is time to change its approach to the region.

[Biggirl]

It could shape up to be a "long hot summer" in the Middle East.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with the writer’s premise. Even when Biden made what could be construed as anti-Israel comments a month or so ago, it caused violence on the West Bank and Gaza.

[DoughtyOne]

Six ships boarded, only one resisted.  That's what Al Jazeera says.

Of the 682 people from 42 countries aboard the six ships that were raided, 380 are believed to be Turkish.

The unmistakable fact is, Israel did not go in guns blazing.  Five ships were boarded without incident.  Only one ship had a crew intent on resisting Israeli commandos.

This was premeditated, and Israel had no choice.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/20106116559782549.html

[SunkenCiv]

Beset by activists armed with poles, knives and guns, the Israelis defended themselves, and the resulting violence left at least nine dead. Hours later, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report claiming that Iran now has enough nuclear fuel, with further enrichment, to make two nuclear weapons.