Mideast update (sort of)












I've been reading newspapers, watching television (including from Israel and the Mideast), googling the news, and it's quite difficult to get a clear picture of what's happening and predict what's going to happen. My sense is that the G-8 statement was more favorable to the U.S. position (and by extension to Israel) than I would have expected. It stressed Israel's right to act in "self defence" and seems to suggest that Hizbollah and Hamas should return the kidnapped soldiers as first steps and as part of the conditions for cease-fire. There were also clear indications that the leading Arab-Sunni states, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt are hoping for Hizbollah's demise. I think that Israel could probably continue with the bombing for quite a while. I also don't think that the war would expand beyond Lebanon.

Comments

Anonymous said…
You read Hebrew, right? I wonder what you think of this article in YNet:

http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3276183,00.html

(Shaul Arieli is a Beilin man, one of the organizers of the Geneva accords)

-Danny
2:30 AM
KAREN said…
Hey There,

My name is Karen Shacham and I work with CNN Pipeline in Atlanta.

I thought you might be interested to know that breaking news from the Mideast Crisis is LIVE on Pipeline, right now, including footage from Israeli TV.

CNN Pipeline is an online, commercial-free multiple live-news feed. It showcases four simultaneous news feeds from around the world and an on-demand function that allows you to select from a variety of news stories.

Please let your members know that they can go to http://www.cnn.com and click on the Pipeline link to watch it *live* and get a two week free trial.

Thanks and have a great day!
Karen
6:30 AM
Leon Hadar said…
Danny; Thanks for referring me to the commentary. I agree with his general thesis, in terms of focusing on the regional balance-of-power as it affects the Israeli-Palestinian issue. But I'm not sure how Israel will be able to "defeat" Hizbollah and Hamas (see my new posting). perhaps there is a possibility for a long cease-fire. I'm coming out with a longer commentary which suggested (as I've done in my book, Sandstorm: BUY IT!)that the EU could and should play a leading role in helping the Lebanese to impose order. And Karen, thanks for the info.Leon
10:56 AM
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