BREAKING on FOX [Israel believes] Missile that hit Haifa was fired by Iranian Guard

[Paul R.]

Interesting analysis. I would tend to agree with you as far as the governments of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan are concerned. Note that I discern between the govenments and the populace, esp. in Egypt and Saudi... Anyway, I hope you are right, but am not so sure about Syria and Iran -- are they doing anything to undercut Hezbollah? Quietly NOT supplying arms, for example? If Hezbollah's (or Hamas') leaders can hole up in Syria or Iran, and if they can still get arms, it's not much of a "smash" in the long run.

Also interesting & sad that these governments would believe what's in the U.S. recovered Zarqawi documents more than the left in the U.S. does...

[Paul R.]

"Also interesting & sad that these governments would believe what's in the U.S. recovered Zarqawi documents more than the left in the U.S. does..."

I know, I know, I should not be surprised....

[dynoman]

If Iran believed those documents surely they would have gotten their people out of Lebanon before Israel cut loose - did they??

[Paul R.]

Well, I don't know at this point. It's a chaotic situation that may have blown up more quickly than expected. (One should always expect things to blow up more quickly than expected!) I suppose the Iranian elements could be literally stabbing terorists in the back, by Southack's analysis, but, I dunno... that seems like a stretch. Also possible is that there are Iranian elements in Lebanon not currently completely under Iranian gov't control.

[RDTF]

You don't really think it is possible that they up and left 10 or so months ago just because Isreal asked them to? Sure they are still there. Along with their Syrian counterparts.

[Jerez2]

Dynoman, see #1054.
Buckhead, interesting that we both noticed this infiltration of 60,000 Iranian 'tourists' (read 'troops') into south Lebanon... but I have not seen the report in very many places. This would seem to be a very important piece of strategic information, helping to explain 'why Lebanon? why now?'

They are there, they are poised and ready.
As pointed out on another thread, there are lots of Lebanese Christians (and others) who are chafing under the rule of Hezbollah in their country. I hope Israel hits them HARD. This is obviously a coordinated attack resulting from Mr. Ahmonajihad's meeting with other ME 'leaders' a few weeks ago. Take the opportunity to show strength and eliminate as many of their fighters as possible.

I am heartened that US spokesmen are blaming Iran and Syria for this. We are in a good spot to DO something about it (ie, bases in Iraq and Afghanistan).

Let's roll. Grab em by the short hairs, hearts & minds to follow...

[Mark Felton]

"I think that's urban legend because no matter what anybody says, Iraq is not pacified by any sense."

nonsense. You've fallen prey to leftist hysteria.

Iraq is more pacified than the cities of New York, Wash DC, new Orleans, Los Angeles, and many major US cities.

The violent death rate per 100 thousand in Iraq are about 28, LESS than the murder rate of Wash DC at 35/100k and NEw Orleans, Detroit. venezuela has a violent death rate of 67 per 100k.

Iraq has a population over 26 million. They are pacified by any reasonable measure.

BTW: The primary measure of pacification of a nation after war is determined by the fact that the vanquished nation establishes its own self-governance friendly and passive to the victorious force. That has happened.

[Marine_Uncle]

" Israel gets to smash Hezbollah. The Islamic Powers have given the Jews the green light."
Very good analysis. And I go along with all you wrote. Iran is to far away to have any effect on Israel other then providing what they have been doing, and Syria realizes it would get mannered so bad this time around the government would most likely collapse. And Iran certainly is not going to really come to the aid of Syria and vice versa with the US being entrenched in Iraq.

[Paul R.]

That assumes they are rational. If Iran is rational, what do they truly need nukes for?

[Marine_Uncle]

"That assumes they are rational. If Iran is rational, what do they truly need nukes for?"
To maintain parity with Israel, at least in their eyes.

[vimto]

"The regional war began in the 7th Century when Europe didn't wipe out Islam when it should have."

So this is our fault?

Take it further back - all this is because they eat that forbidden fruit! That was probably in Iraq/Iran. They've always been a problem see!

[pravknight]

Yeah, and we are in the midst of it. Hello World War III.

I would surmise that China and Russia have roles in what is going on, abiet hidden, considering they have propped up Iran, Syria and North Korea for years.

China is the greatest proliferator of nuclear technology in the world, and no doubt supplied its know-how to both Iran and North Korea. Pakistan's nuclear arsenal was a Chinese gift, too.

http://www.nci.org/i/ib12997.htm

[Paul R.]

I hardly think they are looking for "parity".

[bwteim]

Dan Gillerman, Israel Ambassador to UN, just now on Fox live, said "Iranian missiles" were housed in civilian's homes in Lebanon.

[Paul R.]

"The violent death rate per 100 thousand in Iraq are about 28, LESS than the murder rate of Wash DC at 35/100k and NEw Orleans, Detroit. venezuela has a violent death rate of 67 per 100k."

"Wash DC" has been working quite hard to get in the lead, recently...

[ASA Vet]

IV (The US lost nearly 100,000 KIA in III)

[bwteim]

FWIW

Screen caption on Fox now 11:12 est

"Israel: Iran Taking Direct Role in Hezbollah Attacks"

[dynoman]

I saw that. I would like Southack to work that into his outlook on the situation.

Did Iran believe Israel would not retailiate and put Iranians in Lebanon at risk?

Or Is Iran willing to write off the Iranians in Lebanon?

Or does Iran think the Iranians and Hezbola in Lebanon can win against Israel?

or there no Iranians in Lebanon??

[bannie]

China is the greatest proliferator of nuclear technology in the world, and no doubt supplied its know-how to both Iran and North Korea. Pakistan's nuclear arsenal was a Chinese gift, too.

Thank you, again, William Jefferson Clinton. You are a gift which keeps giving. If you had not SOLD to China our most vital military technological secrets, the world would truly be different right not.

[RDTF]

Thanks!