7/25 Middle East Live Thread

Middle East Live Thread ^ | 7/25/06 | me

[BurbankKarl]

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice salutes a US Marine as she walks towards a helicopter upon her departure from Beirut after meeting with Lebanese officials.

[ScaniaBoy]

He sounds quite confused. Maybe he should be repatriated on medical grounds.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Syria made a piece gesture to the US (handing over Al Queda in Lebanon), but I don't think that meat was very fresh.

[NewConservTexan]

Folks,

I may be off base but when has a ME government actually done what it threatened in last 5 years? As long as they tell you what they will do then you can assume THAT will not happen. It is when they silently plot with terrorists that you have to be concerned.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Syra CANNOT stand against the Israeli Army or Air Force, which means a War of The Missles....

Which in turn would prompt the IAF to make pre-emptive strikes against Syrian missile bases, assuming it knows where they are.

[ArmstedFragg]

which means a War of The Missles....

Seems to me they tried that a few years back.....

[sarasota]

I hear you but I've also heard many others say that when Hez says they're going to do something, they do it.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Well the Syrian/Iran plan would be to attrit and scatter the Israeli military using proxies like Hezebola, then start other fires that will do the same for the US, EU NATO.

[Mo1]

TOTALLY OFF TOPIC

but do you have a link for the Senate thread??
I can't find where I bookmarked it
Hellary is up

[Fitzcarraldo]

You mean Iraq and the Scuds?

[ScaniaBoy]

Quite right......on the other hand I don't think one should trust the Syrians to always do the opposite of what they say.

But in all likelihood you are correct!

[NewConservTexan]

The difference between Hezzies and Syria is this

The Hezzie can do whatever they say because they truly don't care what happens. In their mind if they die they get the virgins.

Syria and all ME governments want their power and to spread it. If they die they lose their power. They talk big but it's all BS.

The only possible exception is Ammie in Iran. I'm not sure he cares what happens to him. I can see him shooting a nuke at Israel if he could.

[tcrlaf]

Another thread is up with this YNET blurb:
Palestinian sources reported that a large IDF force has encircled the Palestinian military intelligence headquarters in Ramallah. According to the report, forces are using loud speakers, asking those inside to give themselves up.


Sources in Ramallah expressed concern that the IDF would destroy the structure, as they claimed the IDF destroyed the Mukata a few days ago. (Ali Waked)

[Fitzcarraldo]

Syria and Iran have some kind of defense pact and Syria may have obligations to act when certain conditions arise.

[Fitzcarraldo]

22:37 Hezbollah official: Didn`t expect such strong response to capture of IDF soldiers (AP)

22:35 Palestinian officials: 20 IDF jeeps enter Ramallah, surround building (AP)

[Fitzcarraldo]

22:37 Hezbollah official: Didn`t expect such strong response to capture of IDF soldiers (AP)

LOL

[sarasota]

Is Hez then threatening the Syrian and ME power bases?

[SE Mom]

22:37 Hezbollah official: Didn`t expect such strong response to capture of IDF soldiers (AP)

HAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaa!!! I guess they thought they could do a swap and all would go on as before? It's a new world, Hezz.

[ArmstedFragg]

Syria and the SAMS in the Bekaa valley in '82. They were summarily wiped-out by the IAF.

[jbstrick]

"A drive up from Metula to the river cuts Southern Lebanon off from Syria, and puts the HEZ in an untenable position where they either run, or die in place without support."

I believe this is the ultimate goal. If you look at a map, that is the place to make the move. Most analysts believe that Hizbullah is stronger than the Syrian Army and the Syrian Army would not stand a chance against the IDF.