Officials: U.S., France reach Mideast resolution (US Appeasement?)

Yahoo/AP ^ | 8/5/2006 | AP

[NorCalRepub]

...you are absolutely right.....some people should put their hatred aside for just a bit and look at the strategic inplications....not just hate the French or whatever for hates sake.....I can't see any downside to this....yet

[NorCalRepub]

I'm talking that the Bush Admin does not want Lebanon completely destroyed since they were allies of a sort.. so they want to start the slow process of rebuilding...that is what I'm talking about.....

[La Enchiladita]

The underlying problem with this is that the U.S. -- at least President Bush -- has maintained, throughout the GWOT, that we do not negotiate with terrorists, yet when it comes to Israel we make an exception and force Israel into these "agreements" time and time again.

Isn't this the ultimate hypocrisy on our part???

[NorCalRepub]

I think you'll see the U.S. really put some money and effort into rebuilding Lebanon....they were somewhat allies before this...and can great strategic importance....so we are gonna do what we did in Germany and Japan after WWII. I'm betting on it....BUT....if the Lebanese don't get rid of Hezzie....then they won't get squat....so look at it as a reward positive behavior and punish negative behavior

[silentknight]

In the end Israel WILL be destroyed. It is just a matter of time before they are nuked by Iran or others. They are living on borrowed time. The only way to stop this is to destroy Iran and some of these other countries. We will not do that. Sooooo in the end I see Israel being either destroyed or almost wiped out.

Please no religious prophecy...reality check. THe facts are clear and the goal of these nations is very clear. Destroy Israel.

[La Enchiladita]

Did you know that it was Israel who built many of those roads and bridges and other infrastructure in southern Lebanon during the 18 year occupation?

How many times can the U.S., Israel and other free nations keep re-building and propping up these countries that are stubbornly backwards?

We have poured BILLIONS into Iraq and Afghanistan, AND showed THEM how to do it, yet the majority in those nations still live in squalor.

[La Enchiladita]

The only way to stop this is to destroy Iran and some of these other countries.

Agree.

[American in Israel]

Terms with terrorists are as useless as tits on a bull.

[wmfights]

"if the Lebanese don't get rid of Hezzie....then they won't get squat....so look at it as a reward positive behavior and punish negative behavior"
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I don't think that will happen. We may claim all kinds of restrictions to aid, but how do you enforce them. I think this is a battle front in the WOT not just an Israeli battle. The enemy we are fighting is a part of the civilian population and the civilians view them as the good guys.

The failure of the IDF to assassinate the leadership of the terrorists before throwing the "hay makers" is going to force them to fight this same enemy again.

[meandog]

Bolton may not have a choice but to come to agreement with the French. Condi is still his boss.

...and the buck stops where? I suppose we actually were against the Hesbollah terrorists when their jihadists staged kidnappings and an unprovoked rocket attack before we were for them when the IDF were in the late stages of conquering them. Shruberry, you're doin' a heck of a job!

[wmfights]

"In the end Israel WILL be destroyed."
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I think your right from a military view point. They are fighting with their hands tied and a concern for civilian casualties. Unfortunately, we are in a global war with the barbarians who seek a return to the dark ages and we've become so feminized we don't want to fight a real war.

[wmfights]

"The only way to stop this is to destroy Iran and some of these other countries.

Agree."
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We don't, nor do the Israelis, have the will to do what needs to be done.

[NorCalRepub]

well Iraq and Afghanistan are different animals...Lebanon was our ally....they have religious tolerance and a more open society then the others....listen, I know the Muslims in general haven't done a damn thing for the last 1400 years...but there are some moderate success stories like Qatar, UAE etc....they may not be our best buddies...but we can coexist.....if the Lebanese can get rid of Hezzie like they did Syria....then I see them as a more tolerant Jordan.....I don't like most of these characters....but there are strategic advantages

[silentknight]

Right and this will lose the war. I honestly don't see us winning this. MAYBE - big maybe - if one of our cities is nuked...maybe then we would go to war? This is not a real war that we are fighting. Unsure if we can win like this. Doubtful.

[NorCalRepub]

Trust me...honestly....I know many Lebanese her in the states and one envoy...behind the scenes they hate the Hezzies more then us....yes, they are pissed now...wouldn't you be....but this is a moderate state in general with religious tolerance etc.....we got Syria out of there, and if we can get any armed militia out....well, let's just say I still see some moderation there.....the Christians and Druze hate the Hezzies...no matter what you hear on the news...

[JasonC]

Yes the French are going to disarm. Unfortunately, themselves, not Hezbollah. They'd disarm the Israelis too if given half a chance. Oops, right, already gave them half a chance.

[hershey]

So if Telaviv goes up in a cloud of smoke, Israel is allowed to fire back?

[La Enchiladita]

Has Leb shown any will or effort to rid the country of Hezbo?

They did NOT get rid of Syria. Quite the contrary. Syria assassinated President Hariri and put a pro-Syria Lahoud in place.

SOME Lebanese Christians may be pro-U.S. and even pro-Israel, but they are too afraid, weak and small to make a difference.

[wmfights]

"I honestly don't see us winning this. MAYBE - big maybe - if one of our cities is nuked...maybe then we would go to war?"
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I think the baby boomers have been so indoctrinated with this stupid idea that we should never fight and wanting to surrender to show their patriotism we are in deep trouble. Look how the press and RATS turned on GWB within weeks of 911.

A nuclear bomb exploding in one of our ports would trigger a depression. If it was done by a terrorist group that didn't claim responsibility how would we respond?

If North Korea develops a long range missile that can carry a nuclear war head will we sacrifice South Korea for peace?

[dervish]

Hezbollah and the Palestinians.

The UN criteria for statehood appears to be violence against Israel.