News Will Israel's Strikes Escalate to Full-Scale War?

[Anttech]

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Turk
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/turk

I never realized how much forsight people back then had, coming up with words to refer to people living in a country that didn't even exist yet.

Yeah, strange isn't it. Thats why I said the Ottomens were not turks, glad we are now in aggreement.

I was thinking France, Western Germany, Britain, and Japan. Obviously they weren't better off than they were before the war, but neither were they irreparably harmed.

So alright to you is, "not irreparably harmed"? Great, least we not forget eh?

 

[Yonoz]

The last time Hizbullah tried kidnapping soldiers was November of last year. The events are very similar to the ones that started this conflict. Israel appealed to the UNSC, and unfortunately all they did was issue http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sc8563.doc.htm" :

The members of the Security Council received a briefing on 21 November 2005 from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations on the serious incidents along the Blue Line on that day.

The members of the Council expressed deep concern about the hostilities, which were initiated by Hizbollah from the Lebanese side, and which quickly spread along the entire Blue Line. They regretted the resulting casualties on both sides.

They appealed to all parties to respect the Blue Line in its entirety, to exercise utmost restraint and to refrain from any action that could further escalate the situation.

They reiterated their call on the Government of Lebanon to extend its authority and to exert its monopoly over the use of force all over its territory in accordance with Security Council resolutions.

 

[Yonoz]

Now specificly, when and what was the last valid effort Israel made to resolve the problem of Hezbollah by working with UN or UNIFIL officals?

Finally found it: May 30th, 2006 - http://www.israel-un.org/latest/sg_letters/2006/gillerman30may06.htm"

Excellency,

It is with great dismay that yet another terrorist attack has been perpetrated against the citizens of Israel. Over the weekend, the Hizbullah terrorist organization fired eight Katyusha rockets deep into northern Israel from Lebanese territory, wounding an Israeli soldier and resulting in an extensive exchange of fire along the Lebanese border.

We hold not only the government of Lebanon fully responsible for all terrorist activity emanating from within its territory, but also hold responsible the governments of Iran and Syria for harboring, financing, nurturing, and supporting Hizbullah and other terrorist organizations.

Israel urges the United Nations and the Government of Lebanon to ensure that all obligations as set out in Security Council resolutions 425, 1559, and 1680 are fulfilled. The time has come for the sovereign Government of Lebanon to extend its control over all of its territory and disband Hizbullah and other terrorist organizations.

Excellency, I submit the present letter in follow-up to an oral complaint lodged on Sunday, 28 May 2006.

I should be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of the present letter distributed as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 108, “Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,” and 14, “The Situation in the Middle East.” An identical letter has been submitted to H.E. Mr. Basile Ikouebe, President of the Security Council.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours truly,

Ambassador Dan Gillerman
Permanent Representative of Israel

 

[Cyrus]

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/scp_v3/viewer/index.php?pid=16598&rn=49750&cl=610896&ch=49799&src=news.yahoo.com

Yonoz, I suggest you look at your own media with a grain of salt

Lately it seems the Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman is sometimes assuming the role of chief censor. The spokeswoman, Brigadier General Miri Regev, has been interviewed by all of the television channels and has spoken out against what she considers overly explosive coverage of the rocket landing sites. The TV newspeople do not understand her consternation.

"After all, a representative of the [IDF] censor is always sitting in the studio," said a senior source at Channel 10, "and he approves the broadcast of what Regev opposes."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/740447.html

How do we know how many civlians are being killed, how many hezbollah? If the stat's are coming from Israel, I highly doubt they reflect the true numbers.

To Hurkyl and Anttech: enough about the turks what does it have to do with this thread?

 

[kyleb]

I think Syria would be very happy seeing as a NATO force could never achieve such a mission.

And if NATO offered up a force that could?

Wow and I thought you have a problem with everything Israel does...
Seriously though, do you honestly think we're so happy to go to war we haven't done everything to avoid it? My 2 younger brothers are risking their lives right now, and I may be called to reserve service at any moment, do you think my family is happy about this?

Yes please, seriously, you missrepersenting my position doesn't help. I think you "waited enough for Hizbullah's weapons", just as you said you did, instead of actively making an honest effort to remove have Hezbollah remove from the boarder prior to.

Yes, and as you can see I'm acting on the matter. You can also return to Hurkyl's appeasement list if you're looking for signs of goodwill by Israel to end it.

Hurkyl's list doesn't present the offer you termed "fair" and Peace Now isn't promoting that offer either. I agree with you that the green line would be fair, but again Israel has shown no intention of making such a fair offer so of course the Palestinians aren't giving you a sincere response.

 

[Yonoz]

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/scp_v3/viewer/index.php?pid=16598&rn=49750&cl=610896&ch=49799&src=news.yahoo.com

Yonoz, I suggest you look at your own media with a grain of salt

I am. Rereading my post I see I haven't clarified that point. I suppose it was lost in there since I was also trying to convey the relative poorness of the 2 foreign news channels I receive. To me their coverage seems amateur and shallow. I feel I get a much richer picture, for better or for worse, from the Israeli channels.
I don't care much for that 60-minutes reporter. They interviewed her a few months ago on one of the current affairs shows, she spoke to the Israeli interviewer like he was retarded or deaf...

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/740447.html

Ah yes, that terrible Miri Regev. I've had a brief personal encounter with her back when I was a regular. I have no idea how she made it to this rank and posting. She's one of those people that are so afraid to take risks they do a terrible job, but since they don't make any real mistakes the only way to get rid of them is to promote them. There's a lot of that in the military. I think she's doing a terrible job and the sooner she's removed the better. She's dumb as a bell, too. Touche.

How do we know how many civlians are being killed, how many hezbollah? If the stat's are coming from Israel, I highly doubt they reflect the true numbers.

I highly doubt any statistics at this stage, you can read that in my previous posts.

 

[Yonoz]

And if NATO offered up a force that could?

I think we disagree whether such a force is possible. I don't think they can, and Israel's experience with "peacekeeping" forces is terrible. UNIFIL soldiers aided Hizbullah in the 2000 kidnapping, and the UN and UNIFIL lied about the presence of a mysterious video recording of the kidnapping, shot by UNIFIL troops. Israel was never handed that tape and Israeli delegates were only allowed to watch it under limiting terms. We don't want another UNIFIL on our hands, thank you very much.

Yes please, seriously, you missrepersenting my position doesn't help. I think you "waited enough for Hizbullah's weapons", just as you said you did, instead of actively making an honest effort to remove have Hezbollah remove from the boarder prior to.

I think Israel made an honest effort. Apart from repeated appeals to the UNSC and UNGC I don't see much more it could have done.

Hurkyl's list doesn't present the offer you termed "fair" and Peace Now isn't promoting that offer either. I agree with you that the green line would be fair, but again Israel has shown no intention of making such a fair offer so of course the Palestinians aren't giving you a sincere response.

All Israel can do at this stage is make an offer that would get Hamas to the table. Then, Hamas will demand more - what will Israel do then? Negotiations don't start and end with a single offer. Israel has made more than fair offers to the Palestinians numerous times and every time they continued the terrorism. Israel's policy is that it does not negotiate with those actively participating in terrorism. I think that it's only fair to demand the cessation of terrorism and recognition of our right to exist before beginning negotiations. Then a broader agreement can be reached.

 

[kyleb]

I think we disagree whether such a force is possible. I don't think they can, and Israel's experience with "peacekeeping" forces is terrible. UNIFIL soldiers aided Hizbullah in the 2000 kidnapping, and the UN and UNIFIL lied about the presence of a mysterious video recording of the kidnapping, shot by UNIFIL troops. Israel was never handed that tape and Israeli delegates were only allowed to watch it under limiting terms. We don't want another UNIFIL on our hands, thank you very much.

1) Proof UNIFL peacekeepers aided the capture?

2) They UNIFL was tasked to defend the boarder, not to disarm Hezbollah.

I think Israel made an honest effort. Apart from repeated appeals to the UNSC and UNGC I don't see much more it could have done.

An honest effort would have been for Israel either directly though the UN, or though one of her allies, to request an international force tasked with carrying out the disarmament of both foreign and Lebanese militias along the boarder as agreed to in UN1559. That is how diplomacy works to get international involvement to resolve a problem. Waiting for enough for Hezbollah's weapons to be used instead of making that honest effort is what has your two younger brothers out risking their lives in this war.

All Israel can do at this stage is make an offer that would get Hamas to the table. Then, Hamas will demand more - what will Israel do then? Negotiations don't start and end with a single offer. Israel has made more than fair offers to the Palestinians numerous times and every time they continued the terrorism. Israel's policy is that it does not negotiate with those actively participating in terrorism. I think that it's only fair to demand the cessation of terrorism and recognition of our right to exist before beginning negotiations. Then a broader agreement can be reached.

You said the green line is far, I agree; so when did Israel ever show the intention to make that fair offer, let alone more?

 

[Bystander]

(snip)An honest effort would have been for Israel either directly though the UN, or though one of her allies, should have been requesting an international force tasked with carrying out the disarmament of both foreign and Lebanese militias along the boarder as agreed to in UN1559. That is how diplomacy works to get international involvement to resolve a problem. Waiting for enough for Hezbollah's weapons to be used instead of making that honest effort is what has your two younger brothers out risking their lives in this war.
(snip)

An "honest effort" is for Arab governments and Islamic militants to comply with UN resolutions. Your insistence that the Israelis force the UN to force compliance with resolutions is absurd.

 

[kyleb]

I didn't say "force the UN," I said "request."

 

[Bystander]

Yonoz has listed request after request after request for you; those "requests" don't seem to have been good enough. What are you demanding that the Israelis do to get Arab governments to comply with UN resolutions? The historical record is that Arab governments do not comply with UN resolutions at anything other than gun-point, and the UN simply will not take that step in the mid-east --- they have restricted "peacekeeping" activities to little more than providing blue-helmeted (or bereted) "shrubbery" decorating roadsides and border crossings (occasionally used for target practice).

 

[Yonoz]

Proof UNIFL peacekeepers aided the capture?

A UNIFIL officer admitted it in an interview to an Israeli newspaper.

They UNIFL was tasked to defend the boarder, not to disarm Hezbollah.

...and has failed even at that task.

An honest effort would have been for Israel either directly though the UN, or though one of her allies, to request an international force tasked with carrying out the disarmament of both foreign and Lebanese militias along the boarder as agreed to in UN1559. That is how diplomacy works to get international involvement to resolve a problem. Waiting for enough for Hezbollah's weapons to be used instead of making that honest effort is what has your two younger brothers out risking their lives in this war.

I'll quote the relevant part since you seem unable to find it:

Israel urges the United Nations and the Government of Lebanon to ensure that all obligations as set out in Security Council resolutions 425, 1559, and 1680 are fulfilled.

BTW, that's some wonderful logic there. So Israel is guilty of Hizbullah attacking it now. I guess it's all part of some grand conspiracy.

You said the green line is far, I agree; so when did Israel ever show the intention to make that fair offer, let alone more?

More? So now you want more than a fair offer? And you want Israel to offer it to someone who does not even stop attacking its civilians? This is why it's never offered UNTIL THE NEGOTIATION ACTUALLY BEGINS. Get it into your head.

 

[Yonoz]

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/opinion/view.asp?msgID=1242" - Ahmed Al-Jarallah, Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times:

People of Arab countries, especially the Lebanese and Palestinians, have been held hostage for a long time in the name of “resisting Israel.” Arab governments have been caught between political obligations and public opinion leading to more corruption in politics and economics. Forgetting the interests of their own countries the Hamas Movement and Hezbollah have gone to the extent of representing the interests of Iran and Syrian in their countries. These organizations have become the representatives of Syria and Iran without worrying about the consequences of their action.
...
While the people of Palestine and Lebanon are paying the price of this bloody conflict, the main players, who caused this conflict, are living in peace and asking for more oil from Arab countries to support the facade of resisting Israel. With the Palestinian Authority close to collapse and the Lebanese government beginning to give up responsibility for what is happening in its territory, Saudi Arabia has been forced to come out of its diplomatic routine and indirectly hold Hezbollah responsible for what is happening Lebanon.
...
Unfortunately we must admit that in such a war the only way to get rid of “these irregular phenomena” is what Israel is doing. The operations of Israel in Gaza and Lebanon are in the interest of people of Arab countries and the international community.

 

[fargoth]

1) You said the green line is far, I agree; so when did Israel ever show the intention to make that fair offer, let alone more?

here you go:

According to Ross's summary, (and as published in the Bridging proposals) Clinton's proposal gave the Palestinians about 97% of the territory of the West Bank and sovereignty over their airspace. Refugees could not return to Israel without Israeli consent. An international force would remain in the Jordan valley for six years, replacing the IDF. Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem and the Haram as Sharif (temple mount) would be incorporated into Palestine. Saudi Arabian ambassador Prince Bandar Ibn Sultan said, "If Arafat does not accept what is available now, it won't be a tragedy, it will be a crime." (Ross, The Missing Peace, 2004, p.748).

The Israeli government met on December 27 and accepted the proposals with reservations, which according to Ross, were "within the parameters." The Palestinians equivocated. The deadline passed, and no definitive Palestinian reply was forthcoming.

and the negotiations were only about the west bank because Israel accepted to withdraw completely from the gaza strip.

so, 97% of the west bank, and all of gaza strip... sounds like a fair offer to me, and bilal (our palestinian friend) said it sounds fair to him too when i asked him a while ago when hamas was ellected.

you can take a look at the map if you wish... http://www.zionism-israel.com/ezine/fmeptaba1.gif

just wanted to make sure you got your facts right...

Do you think it's a fair offer to ask us to propose this map again just to get the negotaition started?

 

[Astronuc]

Fighting Intensifies Along Lebanon-Israel Border
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5575820
by Debbie Elliott, Eric Westervelt and Ivan Watson

All Things Considered, July 22, 2006 · Israeli tanks and hundreds of troops moved in and out of Lebanon on the 11th day of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah militants. Israel says its ground incursions into Lebanon are not the beginning of a full-scale invasion.

During the fighting on Saturday, Israeli forces took control of the Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras. Israel says it has been a center of Hezbollah guerrilla activity.

Israeli attacks did not stop Hezbollah militants from firing more than 150 rockets into Israel. The attacks injured 17 Israelis.

At the same time, Lebanese civilians are evacuating the south in large numbers.

Lebanese College Students View Conflict from U.S.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5575823


Week in Review: Crisis in the Middle East
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5575287

Israel Hints at More Land Combat in Lebanon
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5572453


Syria Seeks to Assert Importance in Middle East
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5575269


I think it would be impossible to try a diplomatic resolution at the moment. Both sides seem determined to try military conflict. Of course, if Hizbullah were to give the two kidnapped Israeli soldiers to a neutral third party, that would be a start, and probably the only way a diplomatic process could be initiated. Hizbullah is apparently not interested, and Israel cannot negotiate with terrorists and militant organizations.

 

[abdo375]

Israel cannot negotiate with terrorists and militant organizations.

Since when is resisting occupation a terrorist act ?

 

[Gokul43201]

Since when is resisting occupation a terrorist act ?

Since the time that it involved targeting civilians in bomb attacks. Buses, cafes, marketplaces...these are not strategic targets; they are the targets of terrorists.

Heck, virtually everyone in the world agrees that Hamas is a terrorist organization.

 

[Cyrus]

Actually, only the US and Israel consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Hamas is in palestine, not Lebanon.

Edit: Excuse me, and by Canada and Uk.

But not by the EU.

 

[Cyrus]

Hizbullah is apparently not interested, and Israel cannot negotiate with terrorists and militant organizations.

That's not true, not at all.

The former President of the German intelligence service BND, August Hanning, during the press conference in Beirut, regarding the German negotiated prisoner exchange between Israel and Hezbollah. January 30, 2004 see also Elchanan Tenenbaum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah
or
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/01/29/prisoner.exchange/

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has confirmed publicly, for the first time, that negotiations are underway with the Hezbollah in Lebanon for an exchange of prisoners.

http://www.bakutoday.net/view.php?d=6306

Sneh was commenting on various reports, mostly from Lebanon, of progress in negotiations with the Shi'ite guerrilla group Hezbollah that could lead to an exchange of the Israelis for 19 Arabs held by Israel.

http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/15113/edition_id/294/format/html/displaystory.html

Of course, if Hizbullah were to give the two kidnapped Israeli soldiers to a neutral third party, that would be a start, and probably the only way a diplomatic process could be initiated.

If they did that, they would be giving up their only bargaining chip. Even if they did release the prisoners, that would not stop Israel from bombing them. Israel has even said this themselves, so I see no reason why it would be in their interests to do so.

 

[Yonoz]

That's not true, not at all
...
If they did that, they would be giving up their only bargaining chip.

- and so they are not interested.

Even if they did release the prisoners, that would not stop Israel from bombing them. Israel has even said this themselves, so I see no reason why it would be in their interests to do so.

If the soldiers are released, Hizbullah is disarmed and the Lebanese military deploys in South Lebanon, then Israel will stop its campaign.
Hizbullah can still exist, just not as a paramilitary force. Of course, then they would lose a lot of Iranian and Syrian support.

 

[desA]

So, if Hizbollah is *not* a terrorist organisation, then why is it shooting rockets into Israel, under no provocation, other than the existence of the State of Israel?

 

[Mickey]

So, if Hizbollah is *not* a terrorist organisation, then why is it shooting rockets into Israel, under no provocation, other than the existence of the State of Israel?

Because it thinks that Israel is a terrorist state or some such.

It's the Narn and the Centauri. The Shadows are manipulating one of them, preparing for their final assault, and we've got to find out if some of the Ancients are still around to help us fight the coming darkness.

 

[kyleb]

A UNIFIL officer admitted it in an interview to an Israeli newspaper.

We have this rule here that says to making claims like that you need to be able to back them up. Eluding to proof doesn't cut it.

...and has failed even at that task.

Less than perfection isn't failure, it is reality.

I'll quote the relevant part since you seem unable to find it:
BTW, that's some wonderful logic there. So Israel is guilty of Hizbullah attacking it now. I guess it's all part of some grand conspiracy.

Israel is guilty of what you said, sitting back and waiting.

All Israel can do at this stage is make an offer that would get Hamas to the table. Then, Hamas will demand more - what will Israel do then? Negotiations don't start and end with a single offer. Israel has made more than fair offers to the Palestinians numerous times and every time they continued the terrorism. Israel's policy is that it does not negotiate with those actively participating in terrorism. I think that it's only fair to demand the cessation of terrorism and recognition of our right to exist before beginning negotiations. Then a broader agreement can be reached.

You said the green line is far, I agree; so when did Israel ever show the intention to make that fair offer, let alone more?

More? So now you want more than a fair offer? And you want Israel to offer it to someone who does not even stop attacking its civilians? This is why it's never offered UNTIL THE NEGOTIATION ACTUALLY BEGINS. Get it into your head.

You are the one that said "more than fair offers"; now you want to chastise me for asking for elaboration on your claim? Negotiation doesn't work with less than fair offers.

 

[Yonoz]

Less than perfection isn't failure, it is reality.

Oh please. Why don't you bear the burden of proof this time and show me one instance where UNIFIL has stopped aggression.

Israel is guilty of what you said, sitting back and waiting.

I've shown you several examples of Israel appealing to the UN to uphold UNSC resolutions calling for the disarmament of Hizbullah.

You are the one that said "more than fair offers"; now you want to chastise me for asking for elaboration on your claim? Negotiation doesn't work with less than fair offers.

You can refer to https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1043650&postcount=344" for elaboration. If both sides made fair offers at the start there would be no need for need for negotiations, no?

 

[Astronuc]

Since when is resisting occupation a terrorist act ?

Israel had withdrawn from Lebanon. When Hizbullah attacked, Israel was not occupying Lebanese territory. Maybe, Hizbullah is claiming that the Israelis are occupying Israel?

Cyrus, I agree with your post that Hizbullah has, in the past, negotiated a settlement. But what about the current situation?

If they did that, they would be giving up their only bargaining chip. Even if they did release the prisoners, that would not stop Israel from bombing them. Israel has even said this themselves, so I see no reason why it would be in their interests to do so.

AFAIK, Israel was not bombing Hizbullah. Hizbullah attacked Israel and kidnapped two soldiers. What was the provocation?

What is the mentality of a person who conducts acts of violence/hostility and then expects the victim to respond cordially?

I do have a big problem with the fact that some people feel compelled to kidnap other people and use them as 'barter', 'pawns', _________ (fill in the term of choice for the demeaning or degradation of a human life).

 

[Cyrus]

I've shown you several examples of Israel appealing to the UN to uphold UNSC resolutions calling for the disarmament of Hizbullah.

Two months ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel surprised many when he announced that his government would accept the 1978 U.N. resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Lebanon.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/lebwith.html

So, does the UN only apply when Israel wants it to? I guess UNSC425 does not apply to Israel?

 

[Yonoz]

So, does the UN only apply when Israel wants it to? I guess UNSC425 does not apply to Israel?

What's your point? kyleb asked me to present the Israeli appeals to the UN to avoid this crisis. Now you're criticizing that too? Do you think Israel should have sat quietly while Hizbullah arms itself and attacks it?
Whatever path Israel takes, it will always be blamed, even when it is being attacked. Perhaps you should ask yourself what are the real reasons for your criticism.

 

[Gokul43201]

Actually, only the US and Israel consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Hamas is in palestine, not Lebanon.

Edit: Excuse me, and by Canada and Uk.

I hadn't read Astronuc's complete post that was partly quoted by abdo. I thought he was referring to Hamas because of his argument about resisting occupation.

How does that argument apply to Hizbullah? Israel does no0t occupy any part of southern Lebanon anymore. There is nothing for Hizbullah to resist! But I know only a little about the history and nature of Hizbullah.

If they did that, they would be giving up their only bargaining chip.

What are they bargaining for? The end of some illegal occupation or the release of imprisoned militants? To the best of my knowledge, Israel is not an occupier as far as any Hizbullah controlled territory is involved. Ergo, Hizbullah is not (today) resisting any occupation. So, for abdo to say so is setting up a strawman (unless I'm mistaken, and Israel has not completely pulled out of Lebanon).

 

[Gokul43201]

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/lebwith.html

So, does the UN only apply when Israel wants it to? I guess UNSC425 does not apply to Israel?

Perhaps my history is lacking. Didn't Israel completely pull out of southern Lebanon in accordance with UNSC425?

 

[Astronuc]

I didn't specifically call Hizbullah a terrorist organization. I used a combined prepositional object 'terrorists and militant organizations'. Hizbullah is certainly militant and elects (their choice) to use violence rather than peaceful means to achieve a political objective.

I also think the term 'terrorist' is often used 'subjectively' and sometimes inconsistent.

I think a lot of the arguments being made involve digression into the entire problem of Israel, it's existence as a political state, the consequences regarding the Palestinians, and who is to blame or not, and so on . . .

We aren't going to resolve this problem in this thread.

Stopping all violence would go a long way, but many people seem to be invested in hurting other people (seemingly out of retaliation, retribution, . . . ).

--------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile -

U.S. Speeds Up Bomb Delivery for the Israelis
By DAVID S. CLOUD and HELENE COOPER, NY Times, July 22, 2006
The Bush administration is rushing a delivery of precision-guided bombs to Israel, which some military officers see as a sign of a longer campaign ahead.

U.S. Faces Limited Diplomatic Options in Mideast
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5572456

Morning Edition, July 21, 2006 · Judith Palmer Harik, a retired political science professor at the American University of Beirut, assesses U.S. diplomatic options in the region. She tells John Ydstie that few officials in the Middle East are willing to reign in Hezbollah, or have the influence to do so.

Israeli Forces Clash with Hezbollah Inside Lebanon
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5575263

Weekend Edition - Saturday, July 22, 2006 · Israeli forces confronted Hezbollah guerillas inside Lebanon on Saturday with limited but fierce engagements. At the same time, both sides continued trading aerial bombardments on the conflict's 11th day.

------------------------------------------------

A story today has mentioned the rising tension between Suni and Shiia nations.