7/21 Middle East Live Thread

Middle East Live Thread ^ | 7/21/06 | me

[BurbankKarl]

An Israeli soldier scouts the area near the Israel-Lebanon border, July 20, 2006.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Two days from now?

[IrishRainy]

What's the significance of the 23rd? And is that JULY?

[SE Mom]

In theory- you're right. But I think part of the problem is the visibility of this- there are spies everywhere on both sides- and the added complication of media with cameras everywhere.

At the same time..it wouldn't be surprising to learn later there were spec ops going on..things we can't see taking place.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Too many different doctors involved in too many towns for it to be a doc problem...just a family trait..tracable for over 60 years, and hinted at for over a hundred years...Doing geneaology you learn all these interesting things...

[browardchad]

i don't see this working in the short term

I don't see it working, period. Sending Arab troops is predicated on Lebanon's needing help to disarm Hizbollah, and every pronouncement by the Lebanese government thus far -- has indicated support for Hizbollah.

I have a sinking feeling that the prevailing diplo-wisdom on Lebanon failed to take into account how deeply entrenched Hizbollah is in that country.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Hopefully, mobilizing the Lebanese 'Army' for offensive moves against Israel is a bluff...I don't think the generals of this army are pushing for this...I suspect they will form a line in the south some distance away from the Israelis, which the Israeli ground troops will probably honor.

[JewishRighter]

Mission Authorized.

BTW, I sure do hope you didn't mean "black ops" as a racist comment. /s

[CougarGA7]

I'm sure there are many black ops going on right now. I agree, it's awfully hard to hide a build up. I still would have asked the media to not trumpet it though.

Besides, the build up is gonna scare poor Shep again.

[sono]

Thanks for the heads up ... Sheesh ... the Sept 10th mindset will kill us all.

[sageb1]

"there are spies everywhere on both sides"

Even here. ;)

[Fitzcarraldo]

18:29 Siren sounds in Haifa (Channel 10)

18:23 Intelligence sources: We hit senior Hezbollah officials (Channel 10)

[debg]

18:23 Intelligence sources: We hit senior Hezbollah officials (Channel 10)

[CougarGA7]

18:23 Intelligence sources: We hit senior Hezbollah officials (Channel 10)

Now if we could just get confirmation that they are dead.

[NewConservTexan]

How about the fact that Lebanese troops fighting along side Hezzies will help clearly show where Hezzie fighters are?

The biggest problem IDF has is intelligence. Having a uniformed army on the other side showing you where the terrorists are will make IDF's job easier.

For this reason I think Hezzies will reject Lebanese army's help.

[Mr Cobol]

Just heard on ABC news that Rice is going Sunday to ME to call for "cease fire". Hopefully that is just their spin.

Or since Maddyy called for it, must be the thing to do.

[cardinal4]

On balance, Kofi Anan is one of the most dangerous men in the world because he gives legitimacy to the most evil people on earth.

I dont buy into the theories of who the Anti-Christ might be, but Kofi would be a perfect candidiate...

[Fitzcarraldo]

18:32 German FM to visit Mideast next week, will meet Israeli, PA, Egyptian leaders (Reuters)

[Rain-maker]

5,000 called up in latest mobilization

jpost.com

Lebanese defense minister: Army will fight ground invasion

haaretz.com

[sageb1]

"18:23 Intelligence sources: We hit senior Hezbollah officials (Channel 10)"

Let's hope!