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]

Cause we're waiting to see if the world's going to a hot war or not?

[bwteim]

Gosh, forgot about him. Shades of Haiti father and son.

[defconw]

Well here's the deal. Everyone in the world feels perfectly free to take pot shots at my religion and my Church. You will note that I never take shots at anyone else's religion or church. common courtesy don't you know. If the Vatican does not endorse what someone is doing that does not make it evil. Also just why would anyone expect the Vatican to get heavily involved in a situation where Christians are in the middle? Christians in Lebanon and in Israel are at risk.

I don't like people playing the Vatican card to whip up emotions. Most especially when the person using it has no allegiance to Rome.

[jeffers]

Recent reportsa have Israel massing four divisions, three on the border, plus one in call-up currently. A standard figure for divisionsized element's troop strength will each consist of a rough ten thousand men, nominal count, in peacetime.

With round-out elements in place, this figure will probably go higher.

Universal military doctrine calls for roughly a third of one's combat power to be held in reserve, leaving two for an offensive, with the current reserve released for mop-ups or...other duties...once the callup is complete.

[harwood]

Praised Chirac for defending Islam...Said that Shiah and Sunni will unite to defeat Zionists..Says that unfortunately many have been fooled in this game..

They've been waiting with baited breath to hear from the Grand Poobah..More to come

[conservativepoet]

See post #977 for the article describing the size of Israeli troops sitting on border

[Knitting A Conundrum]

The divison between Sunni and Shia involve the death of Ali by the non-Shia, a action which is commemorated every year...lots of bad blood and long memories make sometimes temporary, but always bad allies.

[casino66]

Only consolation is that UN is getting progressively weaker. Besides, few people could match Kofi in greed, arrogance, and buyability.

Why does the name Clinton come to mind?

[OB1kNOb]

20:50 - I wonder if this was the woman suicide bomber that they were making such a mad dash about trying to find in Tel Aviv?

[jeffers]

Txsleuth wrote:
I would like your opinion on whether you think there is a "cause/effect" between what is happening in
Israel and Lebanon and the ratcheting up in Sunni v. Shi'ite atrocities in Iraq right now?

I know the S v. S stuff in Iraq started BEFORE Lebanon kidnapped the Israeli soldiers...but, we all
speculated at that time it might be to distract from Iran.

I am not saying I think this...but, I am just wondering what kind of "ties" there might be.





All Roads Lead to Tehran

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1668287/posts?page=13#13

[Mr Cobol]

I BETCHA Maddie will be on CNN this afternoon just totally slamming this move by Bush..and Condi's speech and answers

Maddie will of course question the timing of the trip.

Saying they waited so long and let it escalate to the point where it may be too late.

Also will be critical that Condi didn't call for cease fire that ABC news reported.

JMO.

[SE Mom]

Thanks for the link! I'm thinking in conventional terms of an american army division 20K roughly..so my numbers are off.

Did you all just hear Bob Baier? He has a sobering view of radical islam..and said of course the Secretary of State is't going to get on tv and panic the American public..but this is a very tense moment..

[casino66]

I think everyone on that side of the aisle is terrified something good happens for Bush and USA. Doomsday Socialist Party.

[prairiebreeze]

Condi did very well, especially in the face of some snippy, thinly veiled hostile questions.

I took a moment to pause and reflect where we'd be right now with John Kerry at the helm.


{{{shudder!!}}

[ScaniaBoy]

20:50 - I wonder if this was the woman suicide bomber that they were making such a mad dash about trying to find in Tel Aviv?

Yes.

Jul. 21, 2006 20:38 | Updated Jul. 21, 2006 20:55 Woman arrested next to Dan Hotel By JPOST.COM STAFF

Police special forces arrested a woman near the Dan Hotel on Hayarkon Street in Tel Aviv who was suspected of being a suicide terrorist police were searching for on Friday evening.

According to Channel 2, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) passed an intelligence alert to the Israel Police of a possible suicide terrorist inside central Tel Aviv.

Police sappers were reportedly checking the vehicle in which the woman was sitting, along with another three people.

The terrorist was reportedly headed to an entertainment establishment in Tel Aviv. Friday night is customarily the most popular time for clubbing and entertainment in Tel Aviv, Israel's largest city.

Roadblocks were set up at the entrance to the city. Large police forces were deployed throughout the Dan and Shfela regions in searches for the terrorist.

The operations included hundreds of officers from the Tel Aviv and Central Regions.

Hospitals were placed on alert in the Dan area.

Drivers were being asked to avoid the region if possible and to wait patiently in the stalled traffic.

[prairiebreeze]

I agree. The question was from the studio audience and I was transcribing Bolton's answer. Rice answered a similar question in the same way, stating the government in Lebanon was very new, was trying but being derailed by the presence of Hezbollah.

[casino66]

Condi did very well, especially in the face of some snippy, thinly veiled hostile questions.

Do you think Tony is running classes, or maybe Coulter on how to talk to a liberal if you have too?

[OB1kNOb]

Excellent news! - Thanks!

[prairiebreeze]

Count on Hillary to make a trip over real soon

Reading this made me think something that I am not allowed to post. Bet you can guess...:^D

[Knitting A Conundrum]

It would be good training!