With Iraq officials expressing growing concerns at recent Israeli
attacks on their territory, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is
doubling down on the policy, declaring that he is “doing everything” to defend Israel, including attacks in Lebanon, Syria, and in Iraq. He added that Israel is “surrounded by radical Islam.”
Israeli attacks in Syria are common enough, and they’re always talking
up possible fights with Lebanon. Iraq is something very different,
however, and it is putting a strain on Iraq’s Shi’ite government, with
its close ties to the US and to Iran.
It’s been a challenge for the US as well, with the State Department
taking the historical position supporting Israeli attacks on whoever
Israel wants to attack as “self defense,” and the Pentagon warning
against nations attacking their allies in Iraq.
Iraqi officials are still putting together the case for how many Israeli
attacks there’ve actually been with top MP Ahmad al-Assadi, who is
closely tied to the Shi’ite militia movements, saying Iraq has confirmed Israel is “certainly” behind several of the strikes.
Iraq, after all, has explosions and attacks all the time, and while
there seem to be more than a few Israeli strikes in the mix, it also is
possible that there are other strikes mixed in, since Israel isn’t being
super direct on which ones they did.
Trump’s hands are tied with election coming up. Which does not mean that Israel will not spoil for the fight. Hoping for some lame response, so it could demand US protection.
It is amazing how people lie. Netanyahu is complaining about being surrounded by extreme Islam! Israel! The country that bragged how it did not mind having ISIS black flag fly over Damascus! The country that supported Islamists all around Golan Heights, by money, helped smuggling weapons and provided medical treatment to these extremist fighters in Israeli hospitals! Would not have Israel loved to see ISIS victory, so that US can go in, heroically fight off ISIS, and take over control of Syria. Well, it did not happen. Even the money bag, Saudi Arabia has given up on funding the head choppers, who had no problem chopping heads of Christians, Shia and all Sunnis that disobeyed them. But these extremists in my book apparently were to Israel’s liking, Now that they are gone, and no more sugar daddies to be found to resurrect them, Israel is desperate to blame those who paid the heavy price to get rid of the paid menace. Why then just blame Shia population? Why be so mad with Shia in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq?
After all, others did the same: Iraq, Turkey and Russia? Is it really that hard to understand that having bet on ISIS horse and lost — Israel did not win any popularity points in the neighborhood. No point being mad at them — apologize , and get over it.
The election is 14 months away. Doesn’t matter, though, as he never stopped campaigning rather than actually doing his job.
I am not sure any more what is the job of the president. It does not look like he can appoint who he wants, and whoever has been pushed in, is merely representing some interests. The campaign feels like a series of infomercials, and entire media scene — more infomercials. There is no need for analysis, no need for data — all answers are already given. There is just one problem — population is restive, especially the one counted on to wave flag and cheer. Trump freelanced in the world of politics and won. However crazy the entire White House environment looks — it was just as crazy under Obama, Bush or Clinton. Only the appearances have been managed in those good old days. Now, no more. The elites know really well what the problem is — populace is not happy. But will not cave in, status quo must be maintained, and public “reeducated”. Trump has spent the entire presidency figuring out how to do something —like end endless wars, or at least, move in the direction.
But if there is such a resistance to ending wars, and such fervent desire to fight more undesirables — can he be anything else? Or his permanent campaign is to move populace along sufficiently to keep hope until another patriotic button can be found a d pressed?
For as long as Presidents are the figures on the stage, while political decisions are made by interest groups — we will be in permanent campaign mode.
There is no chance of system reform. Unless we ban any form of lobbying and unless political parties are reformed to allow for the election of all party functions. At present, they are private corporations and the lobbying is what makes these corporations wealthy. All primaries are merely auditions for suitable candidates that can attract votes and once successful, implement party’s, that is, their employer’s policies.
What makes Trump different is the fact that Republican Party did its best to prevent his nomination. And both Parties were complicit in allowing investigation into Russia gate, to cut Trump down to size, once the deed was done — parties then went back to standard politicking.
Electorate should lead not follow, But it is counterintuitive, This is why Trump base is letting go of many beliefs Trump espoused, and instead they are hanging on every Trump’s word. And getting whiplash,
Trump is not the first president to campaign from day one. It is just that he did not put the elected President actor’s suit on. He just cannot be disciplined.
But there is something major going on — there is a large defunding of UN programs. It is hard to predict the outcome.
Trump’s hands are tied by the fact that he’s Bibi’s gimp. He’s ball-gagged too.
“An apology should suffice when there is no damage done”
Is there anyone reading this that thinks no damage occurred?????
Iraq can’t do anything. Neither can Syria nor Iran. Israel is having fun with a turkey-shoot.
That is exactly what is needed! No more ambiguity. Remember when it looked like US would get into shooting war with Iran —“worried” Netanyahu said that Israel does not want to become a collateral victim of US-Iranian conflict
And following the “mysterious” sabotage of tankers that the world mostly ignored, things are now in uncharted territory. Netanyahu is facing election. Stakes are very high for him. He cannot afford to lose, as charges await him. Will there be a compromise?
Last time Lieberman did not want to give Netanyahu one single delegate, that is all he needed to form a government. There is bad blood between the two, Lieberman is also gambling, and this gamble may turn out bad for him as well. His gamble on attacking the powerful Orthodox politicians can backfire. They have a final say on matters of life and death, deciding on the all important issues of identity at births, marriages and even burial rights upon death. Yet, they are exempt from military service. I have no idea why Lieberman believes this to be a good politics. I do not see it.
But now Netanyahu must keep himself in the news. Show strength. Notice how everybody is ignoring him. Iraq can use it to nudge US forces out. Lebanon must always be heard, to insure public is not afraid and that political trio at the top is in agreement.
But bigger reaction has not materialized, Will that hurt him? Will the public start thinking that he is too much talk, but ineffective? Even if he wins, what does win mean to population? He is at best a status quo candidate.
If Israel is looking for a change, he is in trouble.
The turkeys will eventually shoot back and you can be assured the USA will go on the side of Israel as payback for all those campaign funds from pro-Israel lobbies like good old AIPAC. Also, remember there are a lot of representatives with dual Israel/USA citizenship in Wash. ready to do the bidding of Bibi and company.
This is all about Bibi talking tough before Israeli elections. If he loses, he goes to jail for a multitude of crimes. Iran, Iraq, and Syria just need to be patient with these pin-pricks and not retaliate. That would give Trump all the excuse he needs to start that “transformative apocalyptic conflict” (Bannon) that Zionists of all stripes crave. That would be the end of the USA as a constitutional republic and is what the neocons and Zionists Trump has surrounded himself with have wanted all along.
The USA hasn’t been a constitutional republic for more than a century.
Not having to go through the motions: elections, representative government, rule of law… coming right up, Thomas.
Actually, not since 1776,
Today the US Constitution just gets in the way of profits for business and campaign funds for Wash.
Israeli actions are ensuring that radical islam around them is strengthened. If the Chinese play chess/go well they will tie up the US military by donating weapons of all sorts to Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Iran to respond to Israel’s aggression. China can expand their energy deals with Iran and Russia. The US-Israel alliance is a tremendous strategic liability for the US. Bullying the world into turning down Russian and Iranian energy will be a lot harder when the rest of the region’s infrastructure is on fire.
There is no “radical” Islam but, yes, there are radical Muslims. Idiots do not know the difference.
I was just following the terminology from the news article that I was responding to, but you’re right that it would be better to correct erroneous concepts / terms in the process.
Your response is appreciated, and thanks for being open-minded on this.
Sooner or later Zionist Israel and their sponsors in the USA which include AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobbies will draw the USA into a big war in the mid east which could morph into WWIII. Those lobbies pay big bucks for elections in Wash. Now, add in the MIC and others who will profit from that war and it’s almost a certainty unless things turn around quickly. Plus, the mix includes religious nuts like Spence and Pompeo who think they are players in some cosmic plan to manufacture the second coming of Jesus Christ. We live in very dangerous times. It’s all about the Benjamins again baby and Wash., addicted to them will receive them from anybody regardless of payback agreements which will include the American people’s blood and tax money.
You’re having problems with Disqus indicating posts as spam again.
In a manner of speaking.
YOU are having problems with Disqus indicating YOUR posts as spam. I’m not sure why, unless perhaps you’ve had comments on other sites manually marked as spam by those sites’ moderators, resulting in the “low rep” designation.
Rod Dreher on American Conservative doesn’t like my anti-war posts which include Israel and Zionism and is punishing me.
As long as you’re not violating the guidelines here, it doesn’t matter whether or not I like your posts — if I find them in spam, I’ll rescue/restore them. Sorry for any delays in doing that. The moderation delays may get lengthier later this week, depending on which direction Hurricane Dorian chooses and what speed it moves at.
Thank you for your consideration. I love Anti-War and have been posting your articles for years when Google+ was around. Keep up the good work!!
Israel supports Islamist terrorism.
No such person as an Islamist. Don’t make up words.
Israel did not have to be surrounded by radical Muslims if only they had listened to the Russians during the revolution and moved to Birobidzhaz.
True, yet the western powers foresaw the Palestine solution as a path to enduring war and security near the Suez, and oil resources. Clever, the Israelis never consider what tools they were/are. If the west decides Israel, too, needs to be rubbled, they’ll do it in a heartbeat.