Here's a bizarre side to the story. Iran supports Hezbollah and hates Israel. We support Israel, and are none too fond of Iran. China is keeping our national budget afloat and they want to cultivate Iran's friendship and patronage cause they need oil as bad as we do.

Kind of a vicious cycle.

I guess we better do what China says, huh? Seeing as how they own us now and all:rolleyes:

Golly, I said that? Dude-uh-mers, you be in denial all the time, it seems, and not the river in Egypt. Imagine if the oil market -- OPEC for starters -- suddenly starting trading in the Chinese currency (what the hell is it again?)? Mucho mas problems for us.

OK wise man, when do you forsee us NOT being dependent on regular infusions of cash from China? And what do you think would happen if they decided we were no longer a good investment and decided to call in their notes??

I am wondering whether Israel will attack Syria next or will they hold off the attack.

not really worried about it. China trades and steals quite a bit from us with regard to technology, makes them quite reliant on us.

We just take them over. :D j/k

I guess we'll see in a few days. I don' think Syria or Iran could stand against Israel, especially since they'll be going in to destroy rather than occupy. I heard talk today of a multi-national military task force from the UN. Translation; Dear US would you please supply troops and supplies to this area of land and by the way, will you pay for it all. Thank you, your friends (occasionally when we need you) at the UN.

Yes but that dynamic is shifting rapidly.

That's what you're waiting for to enlist, no doubt. ;)

Funny, how the Arabs are now looking to the US to mediate a solution. Why can't they finally figure out their own crap, and work something out themselves? They are worse than wellfare recipients at this point.

Actually, I hear that a lot of Arab nations are giving Hamas the cold shoulder, basically saying that they have involved the people of Lebanon in a fight that is not of their making.

Could be they want the U.S. to prevent Israel from bombing Lebanon back into the stone age.

I'm on Israel's side on this more than I've been in a while, but there is the danger that they're cultivating a whole new generation of sworn enemies.

I'm not sure why the hell everybody is calling this the start of World War III... this little Mideast turmoil should be over in a few days. We should just let them all go at it and hope that Israel wins. :D

IF...IF Isael did attack Syria and Iran, China and its military maneuvers pal Russia, would not be pleased. Here the U.S. is locking in Iraqi oil, and to have the major U.S. offshore base, Israel, taking a fight to Iran would not be well received. China, Russian, and Iran together could cause us serious grief if it came down to it. As for winning that one, don't even want to think about it. It'd be nasty.

Exactly.

There was a TV cartoon series called The Critic. In it, the writers regularly skewered the UN. It was funny because it is all so true...the UN takes our money, they do nothing and then they blame the U.S.

That's the U.N.'s way.

I was watching an analysis of the military strengths of the respective players in the area. I would hate to be in Syria's shoes if Israel decides to attack them. I agree with you, I think Israel's aim is not occupy, but to destroy and they would be very good at it.

As for Syria's and Iran's sponsors (China and Russia) I am not too worried. Sadam Hussein was likewise the darling of both Russia and China and neither of those two countries did anything--other than moan and groan at the UN--to come to his rescue. And when Israel regularly beat the snot out of the Arabs, the Russians (back when they still had a viable army) still did nothing to help their Arab proxies.

So not much to worry about there.

It seems a lot of people in the mid east don't believe in traditional country borders. Thats why the terrorists/insurgents often hit their hosts with total indifference. Its why they are able to travel fairly easily across borders. Its no wonder that they also ignore the authoritities of their host countries and still have strong backing amongst the general population to do so. In a setting like that, where western ideologies are being rejected by the masses, what more can outsiders do to "fix" their problems? External meddling has only brought us to where we are now. Some Arabs and Jews might realize that religious zealotry is pushing the mid east even further behind the rest of the world, but its not enough to make a difference. There's a basic problem with that whole culture that defies common sense. Nobody will ever be satisfied with another temporary mediated peace.

I hope the rest of the world has enough smarts to steer clear of religious wars.