So, what is the difference....

[Hippikos]

How many remember why Menachin Begin was murdered only to recreate instability (ie intafada II) because that is what minority extremists so wanted.

Wasn't that Yitzhak Rabin?

I don't know why Junior is so obsessed with Hizbollah as it doesn't pose any threat for the US, or even international terrorism.

[Undertoad]

Originally Posted by Hippikos

I don't know why Junior is so obsessed with Hizbollah as it doesn't pose any threat for the US, or even international terrorism.

One theory is that Israel must clear out the threat from the north so that if they have to take out Iran's nuclear facilities, Iran can't use that area to stage further launches.

[Hippikos]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

One theory is that Israel must clear out the threat from the north so that if they have to take out Iran's nuclear facilities, Iran can't use that area to stage further launches.

Oh I see, it's that easy. You must be a genius.

Unfortunately history learns that we never learn from history, especially the US. One would think that after the Iraq disaster the US and Israel would rethink their pre-empt wars and listen less to desktop warriors like Feith, Ledeen and Cheney or Airforce Generals who always promise they can do the job. Unfortunately there are always gullible people who believe these nonsense.

War is like a gamble. Bad players/generals/politicians can't take their win when the time is right and keep on hoping luck will turn their way. Olmert should have taken the St.Petersburg summit to cry victory, negotiate and get their kdnapped soldiers. Now he's drawn further and further into the quigmire which eventually leads to war with Syria.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

One theory is that Israel must clear out the threat from the north so that if they have to take out Iran's nuclear facilities, Iran can't use that area to stage further launches.

That makes sense. When W pre-emptively invades Iran from both Afghanistan AND Iraq, he doesn't want Syria attacking from behind. Ridding southern Lebanon of Hizb'allah will keep Syria's eyes on Israel, not the rear guard of the US military, as it enters Iran. Then, he can pre-emptively attack Syria, with a little help from Israel on Syria's Western Front. Hmmmm - conspiracy.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

One theory is that Israel must clear out the threat from the north so that if they have to take out Iran's nuclear facilities, Iran can't use that area to stage further launches.

I wonder why Iran hasn't simply bought missiles and nukes from North Korea? Or maybe they have...and need to have something that looks plausibly like thier own nuclear program so NK has deniability when they finally launch one.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I'd trust an NK missile, especially with a critical payload like a nuke. Go upscale to Chinese; the reliability is worth the extra cost.