Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (191849)	7/17/2006 2:35:43 AM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

I think you underestimate the power of diplomatic denial. It's very powerful in the hands of a pro and nobody can do it like the Arabs. Oh no.. you're absolutely right.. But I'm not worried about the "Arab streets" opinion here.. Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab countries bordering Israel (with the clear exception being Alawite ruled Syria) have little interest in seeing a Shi'a terrorist group growing stronger in their region. What I'm worried about sustaining the initial sympathetic reaction on the part of Europe, and blocking any attempts by Putin, Chirac, or China from reasonably asserting that Israel is overeacting to this violence. Obviously, Hizbullah would not permit Lebanonese troops block their access to the Israel border. This would intiate the likelihood of a civil war. So we'd still, essentially, find Israel in the same position of preparing for a ground assault into Lebanon, but Israel would be able to have lots of pretty "sound-bites" to say that they were as patient as they good be. Btw, just saw on Fox that the UN has called for an international force to be put in place on the Israeli border with Lebanon with the purpose of stopping Hizbullah missile attacks into Israel. Israel has stated that they are considering the idea and may be amenable to it. Any international force would have to control at least a 50 mile zone and immediately find itself in a position of undertaking the responsibility of UNSC 1559, the disarming of Hizbullah. Very interesting twist and even Kofi Annan seems to support it. It seems that threat of an Israeli ground war has forced the hand of the international community to prevent this thing from spiraling out of control. So let's see what happens here. Hawk