[ClaireSolt]

The most interesting news right now concerns the actions of the government of Lebanon and what it is saying about sending troops into the south. Yesterday, they cancelled a cabinet meeting on the subject. Today they first said their troops would be at the Litani by Friday, and later they said by Wednesday. This indicates to me that the majority is probably asserting itself without the Hez ministers and is intent on asserting control. That is what both Israel and the US want it to do.

[WVNan]

If the Christians in Lebanon can't prevail what hope is there for the all-Muslim countries? I hope you are right in detecting something afoot there, but I'm pretty pessimistic tonight. Why is there no country in the West with gumption enough to WIN a war? Why are the ruthless barbarians allowed to run over the whole world unopposed?

I'm sorry. I seem to be in rant mode to night.

[claudiustg]

The Lebanese are talking about incorporating the Hezzies into their Army. The big losers are the Lebanese, and they are the authors of their own misfortune, not the Israelis.