Comments on: End to fighting in Lebanon further out of sight http://themoderatevoice.com/7181/end-to-fighting-in-lebanon-further-out-of-sight/ An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right Wed, 30 May 2012 19:59:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Rudi http://themoderatevoice.com/7181/end-to-fighting-in-lebanon-further-out-of-sight/comment-page-1/#comment-9854 Rudi Thu, 10 Aug 2006 13:22:28 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/2006/08/10/uncategorized/end-to-fighting-in-lebanon-further-out-of-sight/#comment-9854 Egypt had brokered adeal to return the Israelis hostages and unnamed Arab countries caused the deal to fall through. The war started and the US sided with Israel, giving them a smoke screen and green light to go after Hezbelloh. Because the US didn't appear as an honest broker and Israels bad PR because of "collateral damage" the percieved critism of moderate Arabs (Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia) of Hezbelloh evaporated. After Qana Condi Rice was not welcome in Beirut. Insight has a couple of articles about the power struggle between Condi and the hawks. The latest article says Bush sided with the hawks and told Condi to back off on Israel. Bush has taken a very strong pro-Israel stance, much stronger than any previous presidents, which has weakened the US's ability to mediate the situation. Egypt had brokered adeal to return the Israelis hostages and unnamed Arab countries caused the deal to fall through. The war started and the US sided with Israel, giving them a smoke screen and green light to go after Hezbelloh. Because the US didn’t appear as an honest broker and Israels bad PR because of “collateral damage” the percieved critism of moderate Arabs (Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia) of Hezbelloh evaporated. After Qana Condi Rice was not welcome in Beirut. Insight has a couple of articles about the power struggle between Condi and the hawks. The latest article says Bush sided with the hawks and told Condi to back off on Israel. Bush has taken a very strong pro-Israel stance, much stronger than any previous presidents, which has weakened the US’s ability to mediate the situation.

]]> By: MadMustard http://themoderatevoice.com/7181/end-to-fighting-in-lebanon-further-out-of-sight/comment-page-1/#comment-9853 MadMustard Thu, 10 Aug 2006 07:25:33 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/2006/08/10/uncategorized/end-to-fighting-in-lebanon-further-out-of-sight/#comment-9853 Now, I do not pretend to be an expert on Middle Eastern politics or the motivations of these countries in the current Lebanese conflict; however, the analysis provide seems to be overly simplistic. It would seem logical that Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan would be motivated to have a rapid and peaceful resolution to the current conflict. Jordan, particularly, has expressed concern that prolonged hostilities could widen into a larger regional war. They are alarmed about the expansion of Shiite influence in the area, instability in Lebanon would only add to their heartburn over the developments in Iraq. Further, it would seem that Hezbollah martyrs at the hands of Israelis would only ignite long simmering passions in the streets of Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The point that peace in Israel would diminish the political influence in the west by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan is simply ridiculous on numerous fronts. International relations consist of many shades of grey as is evidenced by this administration’s lack of successes in the art of diplomacy. Now, I do not pretend to be an expert on Middle Eastern politics or the motivations of these countries in the current Lebanese conflict; however, the analysis provide seems to be overly simplistic. It would seem logical that Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan would be motivated to have a rapid and peaceful resolution to the current conflict.

Jordan, particularly, has expressed concern that prolonged hostilities could widen into a larger regional war. They are alarmed about the expansion of Shiite influence in the area, instability in Lebanon would only add to their heartburn over the developments in Iraq. Further, it would seem that Hezbollah martyrs at the hands of Israelis would only ignite long simmering passions in the streets of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The point that peace in Israel would diminish the political influence in the west by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan is simply ridiculous on numerous fronts.

International relations consist of many shades of grey as is evidenced by this administration’s lack of successes in the art of diplomacy.

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