After Egypt rolled up a Hezbollah terror ring that had been gathering information concerning Suez Canal traffic, an Israeli Dolphin-class submarine passed down the canal from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Egypt initially denied the report; however, two Israeli Sa'ar 5-class vessels have now also been allowed to journey down the canal to the Red Sea. No message intended for Iran?
Hamas forces have been reportedly deployed to prevent rocket fire into southern Israel by other Islamic terrorist organizations. Hamas denies the reports, but calm prevails in southern Israel. Is Hamas "making nice" to Israel, or attempting to preserve quiet as it replenishes its rocket stocks with longer-range Grads and acquires advanced antiaircraft and antitank missiles?
This week there was a huge explosion of Katyusha rockets hidden in a house in the Lebanese village of Hirbet Selm, 20 kilometers north of the Israeli border. Hezbollah barred UNIFIL and the Lebanese army access to the village following the blast, and even UNIFIL acknowledged that the rockets were a "serious violation" of the ceasefire that ended the 2006 Lebanon War. Will the 40,000 rockets amassed by Hezbollah remain idle if hostilities begin with Iran?
The Obama administration linked a total freeze on "settlement activity", including construction in Jerusalem's immediate environs overlooking the city's main entryway, to U.S. opposition to Iranian nuclear development. Netanyahu is not taking issue with Obama and appears amenable to a two-state solution. Does survival in the face of the Iranian menace take precedence over Likud doctrine?
Successful testing of Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system to protect against Kassam and short-range Katyusha rockets has just been announced. Deployment of Iron Dome along the Gaza border and the northern border with Lebanon is planned for 2010.
Never a dull moment as Israel again readies to fight for survival in a potential multi-front war.
Excellent questions as usual JG. Your intellect is not worth wasting (I think) on the sellout Jews who run and write for the NYT. Better that you pose scearios like Caroline Glick does. You know you can make real money if you put together a good speech on some of these top[ics, either for visiting tourists on one of these "rich-type tours" or even in (gasp) the USA where "a REAL SABRA" is here to tell us what "Israelis are thinking" (just don't go to LA since they are over-run with Israelis there as it is. But I tell you -- Evangelical Communities (many with *large* lurses) would wqelcome a man of your insights with open arms -- a Jew whop knows something about the Bible (rare in these parts) as well as someone who knows something about the *actual* Middle East (also, unfortunately *extremely* rare in the entire United States! Sigh).
ReplyDeleteEither way, please keep up the good work. Ihave a Great Dane female and sometimes see myself in your picture.
-- (the) Frumious Falafel
Thanks, Daniel!
ReplyDeleteI am always open to speaking engagements.
My dog, sleeping beside me as I type, is perhaps part Canaan, but we will never know for sure; he was rescued from the street as a puppy. Chocolate and dogs - among what is best in life.
I bought bumper sticker "peace through superior firepower" (cafepress.com) with two blue stars. I think, most of the signs you mention speak about Israeli successes bringing peace through superior military power.
ReplyDeleteHi Marina,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I hope, of course, that future wars can be avoided, I believe in peace through superior technology. Have you read Max Boot's "War Made New"?
Not yet. I will look at it. I am reading now "Politically incorrect guide to Middle East" by Martin Sieff. I like it a lot!
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