Israel Blockades Lebanon

[mwi1112000]

Lets review the clause and take it aparty bit by bit

Resolutions 1559 and 1680 both requite the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon.

The state of Lebanon is the only recognized authority in Lebanon.

Where does that leave Hezbollah? Well they an armed group that is NOT the Lebanese gov't. Which can only mean, the resolution is calling for their disarmament.

I hear your argument, that several members of Hezbollah were elected to parliament. Of course being that Hezbollah is armed and no other force including the Lebanese army can do anything about it, how can anyone run against Hezbollah without being killed. They can't.

[springfairy556]

No, it states clearly in the resolution that the cessation of hostilities is based on both sides ceasing hostilities (funnily enough). It talks about the previous resolutions later. The entire resolution is not solely concerned with the current crisis, it is attempting to fix the entire problem.

Ok I'll give a simpler example of long and short term goals because Firecoins doesn't seem to get the difference.

In Iraq a short term goal is to train up the Iraqi forces so they are able to police the country alone.

The long term goal is to pull out all foreign forces from Iraq and let the country stand on its own two feet so that it can become a real player in the middle east and the wider international community.

Now you cant achieve your long term goal until your short term goal has been signed off. And no one (with a brain in their head) expects the long term goal to take priority over the short term goal - since thats why its the short term goal.

So the cessation of hostilities as described in the resolution is the short term goal and the removal of all armed militia/weapons not under control of Lebanon is the long term goal. Even Olmert understands that.

[ksnake10]

Of course it means Hezbollah but it doesn't mean it is to be done now!

[leutenantriggs]

Except that the UN has no teeth in almost all of their 'sanctions' unless the US is responsible for enforcing it. Then the US takes all the heat and the other member states walk off smiling. It will be interesting to see if Israels request for arab nation troops to enforce the ceasefire will be granted by the neighboring countries.

[JonathanD]

Israel have said they aren't happy for the UN force to comprise of Muslim states that it doesn't have a relationship with, which frankly isn't surprising. Half of the 15000 troops come from muslim countries.

[Sylvester]

yes put Iranian troops as the peace keeping troops. Makes sense for a cease fire. Of course there hasn't been any conlict on the Israeli Egyptian border in some time. Unless you count Al Qeida attacks in Egypt. I guess not having an armed militan group on the Southern border of Israel means peace.

Your sticking point seems to be a lack of a time frame. Well Hezbollah is supposed to be disarmed but no one is going to make them. In fact, they are rearming, which is the opposite of what the ceasefire calls for.

[EatAtJoes]

I guess that depends on one's point of view.

Rabbi Yaacov Perrin, who said that "One million Arabs are not worth a Jewish fingernail" would definitely not settle for 40.

The Prime Minister of Israel, the Prime Minister of Israel, is a far more moderate man and offered ~1200 dead, 3600 wounded, and a destroyed nation.

It was a gracious offer, by any Israeli standard, but the Arabs, ever hard to please, still didn't give his men back.


Stay tuned for round 2, tentatively dubbed "Reestablishing deterrence".

[bobby420]

Aside from that minor detail that Southern Lebanon has been on Israel's wish-list since Ben Gurion described his vision for the borders a "greater Israel" in 1918:
"...to the north, the Litani river, to the northeast, the Wadi 'Owja, twenty
miles south of Damascus; the southern border will be mobile and pushed
into Sinai at least up to Wadi al-'Arish; and to the east, the Syrian Desert,
including the furthest edge of Transjordan"

[dellman220008]

holy threadromancy, batman