Is middle east peace even possible?
Posted By RichC on July 30, 2006
Its about as tense as it has been since the start of this conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Sunday was a most brutal day for people still in Qana, a city in southern Lebanon, as a building was struck by Israeli air forces which was suspected of being a launch or storage area for Hezbollah rockets. (Update: 57 28 killed, 9 of them children – confirmed by International Red Cross 8/2/2006) Israel provided evidence that rockets were being launched from this area and stated that they did target ‘a building’ suspected of being a Hezbollah site. More than likely, the rockets were launched from right behind or next to the 3 story house that was hit. (BTW … Hezbollah launched over 100 rockets at Israeli cities on Sunday alone — purposely targeting civilians) Unfortunately after 19 days of fighting and continual launches of rockets from within border towns by Hezbollah, civilians have remained or are unable to evacuate these targeted areas. Regretably Hezbollah chooses to hide among these civilians, as well as launch their rockets ‘at Israeli civilians’ from areas where Lebanese women and children are living. There are also some analysts questioning whether or not Hezbollah and Hamas purposely are setting up ‘pawns’ in order to damage Israel politically — although no evidence of such a claim as been presented as of yet.
Another concerning issue for the US was the meeting of Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez (see previous comments) and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad presented the highest state medal on Sunday to Hugo Chavez for supporting Tehran in its nuclear standoff. What does this mean to have the number 4 and number 5 oil producer ‘chumming’ up while the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council draft proposals that gives Iran until the end of August to suspend uranium enrichment or face the threat of economic and diplomatic sanctions.
With Americans once again either being called upon to assist in the peace process or choosing to assist in being a peace broker, we once again look like the world police force. Its a no-win situation as opinion is split as to what the US should and shouldn’t do whenever violence erupts around the world. Personally I see validity to both positions … on one hand I don’t want our troops dying in every continent every time arms are drawn between countries or renegade forces … on the other, disengagement in foreign affairs permits rise of thug and rogue nations desiring to use force in implementing their evil desires or permitting terrorists free reign in
targeting nations’ citizens. With Secretary Rice returning prematurely before even attempting to work on a peace, it looks as if war will continue to rage unless the UN can come up with some palatable solution where a peacekeeping force can intercede. While watching some of the experts, I recorded a man I respect for his knowledge of history and pulse of current world affairs: Newt Gingrich.
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