[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.

also Keywords 2006israelwar or WOT [War on Terror]

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[aynrandfreak]

If she was truly suprised by this then she wouldn't make a good President.

[bikerman]

Why is this news? early surrender nothing new for the French.

[YOUGOTIT]

Jacques Chirac got paid off from Iran and the Devil Chevez.

[SMARTY]

"Anything other than negotiations would be resolutely opposed by France."

That is NOT skill or mediation and certainly not diplomacy... that is SURRENDER.

He does not comprehend that surrender is NOT peace. Someone please tell him… go on, tell him before he makes himself ridiculous.

So is this the outcome of centuries of the widely praised, globally avowed pre-eminence of French diplomatic prowess? What am I thinking… that legend died a long time ago.

[ritewingwarrior]

One thing Chavez said was right yesterday, and that was that certain members of the SC should not be there as permanent members. France being the primary one. They are a worthless country, who throw around the only power they have, and that is the veto in the SC. France's power waned decades ago, and it is harming our country's diplomacy efforts when France steps in with their hairbrained ideas.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

HOw much in oil vouchers did Iamjihadmadman promise Chirac this week at the UN to change his mind?

[JIM O]

What would be the down side of letting the world know we are moving to a back seat position in all these situations. Let the French and others know we are there if they call but they should just keep us informed.

As we allow the French and their friends to continue their "dialogue" we will strengthen the nuclear defense in Israel just in case the "dialogue" does proceed in a suitable manner.

[sitetest]

Sanctions? Heck. Try bunker-busters, daisy-cutters, and tactical nukes.

[Wonder Warthog]

Gee--a French innovation on the world scene---the pre-emptive surrender (i.e. surrendering before hostilities commence).

WHAT A COUNTRY!!!

[steel_resolve]

The Americans would appear, fire a few missiles, bomb a few sites and go away

Serious miscalculation. Deadly in fact.

[savedbygrace]

"A limited military clash would suit Ahmadinejad fine," says a former cabinet minister. "The Americans would appear, fire a few missiles, bomb a few sites and go away. Ahmadinejad would show on TV some old ladies and babies killed by the Americans, declare victory and pursue his grand plans with renewed vigor."

So, according to the author of this article, the Bush administration is incapable of thinking past this boxed-in scenario. Amir should avoid playing poker with Texans, unless he has no need for the money he lays on the table.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

"There will be no war against Iran," Chirac is reported to have told a special emissary of the Islamic Republic who visited him in Paris last week. "Anything other than negotiations would be resolutely opposed by France." History may not be repeating itself, but it is hard not to remember similar pledges Chirac gave to Saddam Hussein up to March 2003, just weeks before the US-led coalition invaded Iraq."

The irony here is that Chirac's action probably increases the probability that the USA will be forced to strike Iran's nuke facilities. Just as with Iraq.

[bushfamfan]

Face it, they don't care. The first to be hurt are Israel and the United States. Just like the little cowards they are, this is no surprise. They are NO friend of the United States and need to be declared such. I'm sick of the backslapping and excuses from Bush.

[Stultis]

Chiracs MULTIPLE and ABSOLUTELY CONTRADICTORY flip-flops the other day were stunning. There was Frog all over the F'n map.

[pollyannaish]

I bet she wasn't surprised...but I also bet that she is sincerely ticked off.

[Stultis]

Having failed to stop war in Iraq, French President Jacques Chirac is determined to prevent a similar fate befalling Iran.

The reporter apparently inhabits an alternate universe. Here on earth France (and the so-called "anti-war" protesters) only increased the likelihood of war by encouraging Saddam to believe that he could continue in defiance without unacceptable consequence.

And now France is doing the same again: putting us in a position where war may be necessary by sweeping other options off the table and encouraging intransigence in our enemies.

[flyingtabby]

First, who is Chirac to declare "there will be no war against Iran"??? Of course, they will continue to be sideline nonparticipants as usual! They have persistently needed their butts hauled out of messes and this will be no exception! Chirac talks as if he were king of the world - he needs to be put firmly back in his place!

Second, IMO Condi is a lousy Sec State. And would be a disaster as Prez. We need John Bolton as Sec State..... and we shouldn't run Condi as an answer to Hildabeast.

[colorado tanker]

IMHO all we've been doing is playing out the diplomatic string until it's obvious that won't work before we take military action. If so, Jacques is doing us a favor by expediting that process.

[OldCorps]

Interesting article.

The US should use its economic, diplomatic and other elements of national power to destabilize France's govenment. There is no downside and great potential for some significant progress.