Now look what Hezbollah is doing

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Before 9/11, Hezbollah killed more Americans via terrorism than any other person or organization.

And how many civilians has America killed. It's true that they were all 'collateral damage', but I don't think their families want to hear that. But we are telling people in Afghanistan and Iraq to move past it.

The IRA/Sinn Fein has demobilized and is part of the executive branch of Northern Ireland.

The PLO demobilized and became the Palestinian Authority.

If we move to insurgent groups for whom terror was not a tactic or at least not a major one we have such notable leaders as:

John Adams - Sons of Liberty
Yitzhak Rabin - Palmach (not Irgun)
Fidel Castro
Nelson Mandela - African National Congress/MK

BTW, of the last four, the Sons of Liberty might have been the most violent, if you consider tar and feathering an act of terrorism.

[tw]

Originally Posted by richlevy

The IRA/Sinn Fein has demobilized and is part of the executive branch of Northern Ireland.

How did George Mitchell do that? First he had to get all sides to talk. To recognize the other side had valid gripes. To appreciate that neither side really wanted conflict. IOW he had to attack and dispel the extremism of "We good; them evil".

Mitchell is trying to do same in the Middle East. But the one and only major roadblock, constantly obstructing all conversation and negotiation, is Netanyahu. So far, only Netanyahu has been the only a major obstruction. Reason why would be obvious. Netanyahu is Likud.

Likud remembers what happened to have peace with Egypt. Intends to do everything possible to never let that happen again. Why did Likud all but call for the assassination of Rabin - and get it? It's a rhetorical question that also explains why Mitchell – who could even create a Northern Ireland peace settlement – is only having constant problems with one Middle East party.

Likud will not admit that the West Bank is not theirs. Likud remembers what happened in the Sinai. A political agenda is more important than any settlement.

[TheMercenary]

Really the title should read "Now look what Iran is doing".

[Undertoad]

Thread revival. Tuesday Hezbollah withdrew from its position in the Lebanese government, causing the collapse of the government and complete uncertainty at what happens next.

NY Times Op-Ed: Hezbollah's Last Suicide Mission

Why: the UN is about to announce the results of its Special Tribunal, in which they have investigated the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister in 2005. Hezbollah has been acting as if they will be implicated.

This is an international game of chess where we, as outsiders, don't know much about the rules of the game. All we know is one side just made a huge move, and both sides' Queens seem to be at risk. Worst case is civil war, or there could be even worse cases, who knows.

[DanaC]

Watch this space I guess. Thanks for pointing this out.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Thread revival. Tuesday Hezbollah withdrew from its position in the Lebanese government, causing the collapse of the government and complete uncertainty at what happens next.

NY Times Op-Ed: Hezbollah's Last Suicide Mission

Why: the UN is about to announce the results of its Special Tribunal, in which they have investigated the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister in 2005. Hezbollah has been acting as if they will be implicated.

This is an international game of chess where we, as outsiders, don't know much about the rules of the game. All we know is one side just made a huge move, and both sides' Queens seem to be at risk. Worst case is civil war, or there could be even worse cases, who knows.

This is really going to solidify Iran's influence in the area and it's ability to maintain a proxy war with Israel. Now with the collapse of the government they just went from covert to overt.

[tw]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Watch this space I guess. Thanks for pointing this out.

UT is right on here. Lebanon is a government and country of so many parties based in religion, ethnic cultures, etc. I believe Lebanon defines 13 officially. The numbers are much higher.

Also among some Arab friends, what happened to Hariri is still "stuck in their claw". He was widely supported by a nation otherwise splintered by so many special inters tests, religions, cultures, and outside forces. Let's not for one minute forget Israel who is the reason why Hezbollah exists.

Hariri's death may be as serious in Lebanon and Kennedy's death was to America. That report will have serious side effects. Hezbollah’s pre-report actions are suspicious.

[Undertoad]

Originally Posted by tw

Lebanon is a government and country of so many parties based in religion, ethnic cultures, etc. I believe Lebanon defines 13 officially. The numbers are much higher.

It's really interesting. In a world where borders have been set by ethnicity, beliefs, and language, here is a place more diverse than the US:



Two days ago Hezbollah made a show of force in Beirut by sending vans of black-clad young lads to specific points around the city. They weren't armed this time, is the message. The powder kegs are full. The Special Tribunal may be 6-10 weeks away from any announcement (it's unclear) but the chess game is ongoing.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article....#axzz1BUwJCcWk

Originally Posted by Lebanon Daily Star

Hizbullah, which has repeatedly denied involvement in Hariri’s assassination, has dismissed the S.T.L. as an “American-Israeli tool” designed to incite sectarian strife in Lebanon.

Groups of Hizbullah members, clad in black uniforms, fanned out in several neighborhoods in West Beirut early Tuesday, creating panic among the residents and leading parents to pick up their children from schools, security sources and witnesses said. The unarmed men, carrying wireless sets and handy phones, were seen in areas from the southern suburb of Hadath to Beirut’s Downtown district.

The men appeared to be well-organized and trained for fighting, the sources said. The groups, which began fanning out at 3.00 a.m. Tuesday, disbanded at 7.00 a.m. after troops and security forces deployed in the areas, the sources said. No trouble was reported during the street gatherings which were apparently linked to mounting tension over the S.T.L.’s indictment.

Hizbullah has made no comment on Tuesday’s incident or on Monday’s indictment handover to Fransen. But a source close to Hizbullah described Tuesday’s public gatherings as “a small message to say that the time for talk is over.”

[Undertoad]

[Undertoad]

Hezbollah Chooses Lebanon’s Next Prime Minister

Under threat of violence and more assasinations, after the fall of the government, factions in Lebanon fell to support Hezbollah. Now they have enough support to control the new government.

The United Nations is about to indict them for assassinating the last Prime Minister. Now they get to oust his son as PM, and appoint the next PM.

It is a bad turn of events. The north of the country, where the anti-Hezbollah Sunnis are, are seeing violent protests with the burning of the tires and the closing of the streets.

Civil war in 3... 2...

[TheMercenary]

I wonder which faction is going to blow him up this time?