Yonoz said:
What kind of response did you expect?
BTW IMO it's the media that's over-reacting. I know there's a slim chance you'll believe me, but I'd like to mention that most of what I see on BBC and CNN is grossly inaccurate. You get the impression as if Beirut in its entirety is targetted, while only one neighbourhood is being bombarded and that after being showered with pamphlets asking civilians to get away several hours earlier. Of course, foreign reporters never go into that Hizbullah neighbourhood so they have no idea.
As stated, Israel overreacted as usual, meaning I expect such action.
To begin, those who are either Jews or Arabs cannot be objective. I am neither a Jew or an Arab and strive to look at the matter without bias, thus taking neither side. One can debate the history endlessly with the only positive outcome possibly being that of understanding each side. But never does such debate culminate in solutions. So in regard to history I will briefly say that, in general, changes in borders--or in this case creating a new nation state will always result in conflict so I question the wisdom of creating Israel in the first place. But it has been done, and I wish the world could just move on in peace. And I say "the world" because unfortunately the entire world is dragged into this ongoing conflict.
My criticism is and always has been of U.S. foreign policy, and to remember to look at such crisis from the big picture point of view. First and foremost the hypocritical double-standard interference and meddling in the Middle East (which has included biased support of Israel) is at the root of the problems there. To expand further on my comments, more recent policies that grew from neoconservative think tanks has made matters even worse. Most notably that illegal regime change to remove Saddam has not resulted in more stability in the region (nor would this be the case in Syria, ahem), and U.S. (or Israeli) aggressiveness has only fuelled anti-west sentiment. With U.S. history and the recent invasion and occupation of Iraq, radical groups such as Hezbollah have gained strength (though I don't know what's worse--this or Americans apathy). Also, the theory that democracy would spread has proven to be a great disappointment. In regard to Lebanon, the so-called government barely exists even so shortly after recent elections.
Now there is no other option but to deal with groups like Hezbollah in a forceful way. And once again the world must fear escalation that could spread beyond a localized skirmish. Personally I suspect that's what a paranoid, hawkish Israel wants. Let's just hope the military action (or war?) remains localized. And let's hope people don't get too hung up on Iranian weapons. After all, it is the U.S. who sold the most arms to Iran in the first place.
What we need is for the U.S. to develop a real and meaningful foreign policy...for everyones sake, because it isn't all about you or them.
