Iran's 60 year war against Israel

[AlfredJPruffock]

Perhaps if Saddam Hussein was still in power he would be able to contain Iran now just like he did in the 80s.

Part of the current crises ironically is due to the overthrow of Saddam, as one of the few people on the board who argued against this I could see the balance of power would be dramatially changed as the Sunnis lost power to the Shias and that Irans influence would become overwhelmingly stronger as it took effective political control of Iraq.

And I recall some on this board who argued that with Saddam gone that would mean the peace process with Israel and Palenstine would then have no more obstacles so Saddams removal would quicken the peace process.

What utter drivel.

Another Fine Mess.

[DodgyAgent]

Part of the current crises ironically is due to the overthrow of Saddam, as one of the few people on the board who argued against this I could see the balance of power would be dramatially changed as the Sunnis lost power to the Shias and that Irans influence would become overwhelmingly stronger as it took effective political control of Iraq.

And I recall some on this board who argued that with Saddam gone that would mean the peace process with Israel and Palenstine would then have no more obstacles so Saddams removal would quicken the peace process.

What utter drivel.

Another Fine Mess.

At least someone here is making some sort of attempt to understand the strategeys that are being employed here. Well done Alf. And it may even be an argument in favour of restoring Saddam to power that may hold the key to finding peace in the middle East.

What I find interesting is that people on this thread seem to think that this whole thing is about two sides attacking each other and killing each others citizens. Well that may be the simpleton's view (stick to programming). Unfortunatly it is more complex than that. Hezbollah are using lebanese citizens as a shield and they are happy for Israel to be killing these citizens as it creates support amongst the useful idiots in the west (ALM) as well as through the Arab world. It also weakens the pro western Lebanese govt.
Hezbollah attacked Israel prcisely because they knew that Israel's response would be "disproportionate" (they had seen it a week earlier against Hamas).

The only way that Israel is going to survive here is if they wipe out hezbollah from the region. I am afraid that attacking Lebanese infrastructure places pressure upon the people of Lebanon to do something themselves about Hezbollah.

I would be interested to hear what sort of response would have been "proportionate"

Apart from satisfying our guilt ridden liberals any conciliatary actions of the Israelis have only ever been treated as signs of weakness by their enemies, and led to further attacks.

[DodgyAgent]

And I recall some on this board who argued that with Saddam gone that would mean the peace process with Israel and Palenstine would then have no more obstacles so Saddams removal would quicken the peace process.

What utter drivel.

Another Fine Mess.

And by the way that was me

[AlfredJPruffock]

And by the way that was me

Aye DA

I knew it was your good self but it thought it would have been rather ill mannered of me to point that out.

Anyway, Im sure that you hoped the removal of Saddams regieme would have been a plus for the stablity of the Middle East,and there were good grounds for hoping that at the time , but even I did not forsee that the post war planning of Iraq would have went so catastrophically wrong.

As my dear old Father used to remind me

The Road to Hell is pathed with Good Intentions.

[Harrysp]

I am afraid that attacking Lebanese infrastructure places pressure upon the people of Lebanon to do something themselves about Hezbollah.

Ah well that explains it all and makes it ok. The Israeli's are flattening block after block to help the Lebanese people.

[AlfredJPruffock]

Ah well that explains it all and makes it ok. The Israeli's are flattening block after block to help the Lebanese people.

This was a wrong tactic to use.

Had Israel concentrated on striking the millitary bases of Hezbolah and refrained from bombing urban areas they would had a better interntational understanding to this operation.

But the International community are not going to back an operation that targets civillians.

That is perceived as State Terrorism.

Im sure Sharon, had the need arose to conduct such an operation, would not have made this rather basic political error.

[Harrysp]

Exactly we can all see that what Israel is doing is wrong, how many of these innocent Lebanese nationals will now turn towards Hizbulltulip to have their own revenge, for their loved ones lost?

[AlfredJPruffock]

Exactly we can all see that what Israel is doing is wrong, how many of these innocent Lebanese nationals will now turn towards Hizbulltulip to have their own revenge, for their loved ones lost?

I know, its called the cycle of violence.

Im afraid you cannot win the Peace by simply waging War, again as Churchill said Jaw Jaw is better than War War.

We're confident that the weapons of mass destruction are there (in Iraq). We now have to find them."

Geoff "Buff" Hoon, as Defence Secretary, May 3, 2003. The search continues - and the death toll rises.

[djfoot]

At least there will be one good thing to come out of this...contractor rates will soar in the Middle East. Anyone know any good B&Bs in Beirut that still have a roof?

[BobTheCrate]

Had Israel concentraed on striking the millitary bases of Hezbolah and refrained from bombing urban areas they would had a better interntational reception to their plight.

Are you suggesting Hezbollah had not deliberately situated much of there military and strategic command amongst the civilian population of Lebanon ?

How do you root out a terrorist organisation deliberately embedding itself amongst civilian communities from where it wages war on you ?