Good analysis of the ME crisis in the Times today

[WilliamPitt]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/14/world/middleeast/14assess.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Voices of Peace Muffled by Rising Mideast Strife
By MICHAEL SLACKMAN
Published: July 14, 2006

CAIRO, July 13 — A few months ago, representatives of every Lebanese political faction gathered in downtown Beirut to discuss the issues that divided them — including how and when to disarm the Hezbollah militia.

Intent on keeping its weapons, however, Hezbollah has stymied that discussion by crossing into Israel, killing and capturing Israeli soldiers and prompting a fierce Israeli counterattack that has all of Lebanon in a defensive posture.

“It is strange that one man representing a faction of the Shia, Hassan Nasrallah, is holding the whole Lebanese population hostage,” said Elie Fawaz, a Lebanese political analyst and critic of Hezbollah, speaking of the Hezbollah leader.

With three Israeli soldiers kidnapped — one now in Gaza and two in Lebanon — and Israel carrying out military reprisals, there is for now less room in the Middle East for moderate voices, voices of peace, according to political analysts, government officials and security officials in Syria, Jordan and Egypt. The region’s agenda, as often in the past, is largely being set by militants — with the masses swept along in emotion, anger and vengeance.

“They are happy, very happy,” said Marwan Shahadeh, an Islamist and researcher in Amman, Jordan, speaking about the groups that want to focus on war with Israel.

The same dynamics are true of governments. The leaders of Egypt and Jordan, the only two Arab countries with peace treaties with Israel, are facing increasing hostility in the news media and on their own streets, while Iran and Syria, strong opponents of peace with Israel, have seen their credibility on the street increase. Sensing the tension among their people, Egyptian and Jordanian officials have stepped up domestic security efforts. In Egypt officials have moved to rein in the news media and stop street demonstrations. In Jordan, officials have pressed older members of the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, to rein in its more militant young members.

...more...

[democrat_patriot]

1. So, if "representatives of every Lebanese political faction" work

to disarm Hezbollah. Will this help to broker the peace? Cannot the Lebanese government locate the hostage soldiers and return them? This would be the perfect opportuinity to show a willingness to disavow Hezbollah and take a step towards the negotiating table.

[WilliamPitt]

3. It sounds

like their efforts to disarm Hez was what inspired Hez to abduct those IDF soldiers.

[slaveplanet]

4. They've already offered up the Soldiers

Israel doesn't want them under the terms...very telling.

and as far as this little gem from the OP:
With three Israeli soldiers kidnapped — one now in Gaza and two in Lebanon — and Israel carrying out military reprisals, there is for now less room in the Middle East for moderate voices

The same could be said of two Civilians kidnapped by Israeli soldiers on the 24th, prior to the taking of any Israelis.
the Israelis were also the first to lob ordinance in this latest conflict.

[theboss]

8. Hezbollah would probably be the only faction capable of disarming anyone

That's part of the problem in Lebanon and why they can set the agenda.

[gasperc]

2. hmmm, reign is press to stop street demonstrations

sounds like a formula for diaster, the people are still seething and no outlet to vent thier anger, the people want blood, the governments of Egypt and Jordan are failing humanity and Bush, the war president, has made violence as the solution to problems the norm

[gasperc]

5. hmmm, looks like I was on the money

Palestians stream into Gaza

see related story
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060714/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_egypt_border

[ihaam]

6. Why are the 1000's imprisoned by Israel forgotten

I just fail to understand how people can just walk over and forget the 1000's of Arabs imprisoned by Israel without trial....


If, as Bush asserts, Israel has the right to defend her self and the actions we're seeing are an attempt to recapture the Israeli soldiers... what should the actions of the Arabs be against Israel to free imprisoned Arabs??


Does Hizbullah have the right to bomb Israeli towns and kill Israeli civilians because Arabs are being held in Israels prisons?? Ops that's terrorism, but whatever Israel does is an "act of self defence" ... (note: only Lebanese civilians have been killed)


This whole crisis could have ended with an exchange of prisoners...


Why doesn't Israel want to take a peaceful path? Is Bush pulling the strings just to escalate things into a bigger crisis, he did get us into the Iraq war on a pack of lies...

[malaise]

7. Because she can

Because she has the most weapons
Because she has the backing of the world's biggest bully
Becasue both of them want the land, water and oil belonging to others.

It's uncomplicated.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi ihaam!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: