16 yo killed by Hezballah fire: Israel threatens very grave consequences for Syria

[Az]

I think what has happened is Assad Jr. is letting himself to be led by Naser-Allah, Hizballah's chief. Iran is, amazingly enough, the moderating factor, currently. Now, with the US in effect having a land border with them, they don't want to create a risk of a regional conflict.

[WRangler Rhymer]

Hey have you seen the new gun the Israelies have developed for urban warfare.

[The Mad Monk]

On the surface, Azazel.

If the hearings go on as planned, Iran is expected to face a number of pretty severe sanctions, particularly from the EU. At this point, the only way to derail that is something bigger happening elsewhere -- like between Israel and Lebanon.

The recent bombing in Jordan also ties into this.

...at least, this is what I've heard.

[WRangler Rhymer]

That would not be good, if Lebanon and Israel went at it. I dont think they will do that much to Iran, they will probably get a break in some penalties.

[Eli]

Frankly, I dont care about all this Lebanon crap.

I mean, I do care, but Iran is going to have nukes in a year or two. Iran! Nukes! Soon! With all due respect to some AA fire from Lebanon that kills someone once a year, Iran is going to have nukes!
If that's not a reason to do some really drastic stuff, or at least to start panicking, then I dont know what is.

[WRangler Rhymer]

You right, to create another India, Pakistan stand off would not be good, or would Iranians be crazy enough to fire nukes.

[The Mad Monk]

That's why that hearing is going to be taken seriously, and why Iran is going to do what it has to, to derail it.

[Eli]

Originally posted by The Mad Monk
That's why that hearing is going to be taken seriously, and why Iran is going to do what it has to, to derail it.

No hearing will stop Iran from getting the nukes. I'm willing to bet that it even wont delay them.
Iran has one US controlled state to the East of it, another to the West, it is part of the "Axis of Evil", it also has one, friendly though, nuclear neighbor to the East and of course Israel as the arch-enemy has a gazillion nukes.
They WANT nukes, they NEED nukes, it's a matter of survival for Iran and for their islamic revolution.

I'm telling you. Iran has, from their point of view, lots of very good reasons to get nukes and all this sweet talking about student protests and UN hearings and whatnot is bull, it's not going to stop them.

[Mr. President]

The official U.S. policy on Iran is that it is changing from within.

The official U.S. policy on Iran is foolish.

The idea that people change is ludicrous.

[Az]

Iran will change from within, but not by evolution.

[Eli]

Hamas claimed responsibility for the Ariel bombing.

[The Mad Monk]

I heard that the EU is taking the nuke issue seriously because they believe that if they don't stop Iran, the non-proliferation treaty is finished, with all that implies.

[Sirotnikov]

Originally posted by tandeetaylor
Hmmm.... Do we really want to talk about illegally occupying Lebanon?

Yes we do.

You know, I understand why you focus so much on the bad things that other countries do, but why can't you just admit that Israel has done some horrible things too?

I focus on other countries to counter the regular media which ignores any news in the middle east unless Israel can be represented as evil.

Did you even know that Syria is occupying Lebanon and is defacto the real leader of the puppet Lebanese government?
Why didn't CNN /BBC feature this?

Why is there such an outcry against Israeli occupation, but none about Syrian one? Because it's ok if Arabs occupy Arabs, but it's wrong for westerners (inc. Israelis) to occupy Arabs?


Furthermore, the Israeli occupation in the West Bank is neither illegal nor an occupation of territory.

Firstly, unlike in the case of Lebanon, there has never been a Palestinian state nor has such a state been declared or acknowledged by the UN / the world. The territories in question have different people and nations claiming them according to different suggested partitions of "Historical Palestine" (Israel + Jordan) and different promises made by the British. Thus there is no occipation of Palestine. Only of Palestinians. And there is nothing "illegal" about occupying land or people as a result of war. There are laws governing such occupations.

Secondly, Israel has undoubtedly occupied from 1967 the people living in the West Bank and Gaza. They were run under a unique half military civil service, and were not given full citizenship rights in Israel, though they could and still can approach the Israeli court system, as the ultimate judge, and have infact done so.

Thridly, an occupation of people is not necessary equal to occupation of land.

Fourth - Israel has never intentionally and / or knowingly targetted innocent civilians.

Terrorist / Illegal combatants / "Partisans" which hide among civilian population are legitimate targets in war, and they bear the fault for casualties among civilians. The army, is in no way limited beyond usual reasonable combat laws in city terrain, when hunting for such combatants.


Furthermore, from 1993, and until 2001, the territories containing 97% of the Palestinian population in the west bank and Gaza, were either in full Palestinian control, or gradually transmitted to Palestinian control. The Palestinian people were governed by their Autonomy known as the PA, ruled by the PLO.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Mr. President
The idea that people change is ludicrous.

That's right, no one ever changes. That's why our president is still a drunk, coke-headed playboy.

[Odin]

Originally posted by Sirotnikov

Furthermore, the Israeli occupation in the West Bank is neither illegal nor an occupation of territory.

That 16 year old wouldn't of been killed if it wasn't for the setlements. It is the teen's parents' fault for living in West Bank,

DUH!!!