Israel (now broader Mid East discussion) (4 Viewers)

[bclemms]

Yeah, you are right. I bolded the above because that is exactly what is and has happened. Is that fault created by the U.S. due to the many occurrences of minding other countries business in the past? They look at us for the answer but we shouldn't and certainly don't have it every time.

I used to feel the US should just stay out of it. None of our business, we have enough problems.

Then I watched China and Russia buy up soft influence all over the world in just a matter of a few years to fill the void we left by not being there. I certainly see the benefit of being in other countries business. I do think we need to avoid backing and arming militia groups. That tends to blow up in our face just about every time.

 

[DaveXA]

I used to feel the US should just stay out of it. None of our business, we have enough problems.

Then I watched China and Russia buy up soft influence all over the world in just a matter of a few years to fill the void we left by not being there. I certainly see the benefit of being in other countries business. I do think we need to avoid backing and arming militia groups. That tends to blow up in our face just about every time.

Measured diplomacy is where it's at imo.

 

[0rion]

The election was in 2006.

To vote in 2006, one had to be 18 years old then, thus would be 35 years old today.

According to the demographic pyramid shown (from CIA.gov), everyone in the 30-34 bar and below would not have been eligible to vote in their last election. That's about 1.5 to 1.6 million of the 2.1 million estimated residents of the Gaza strip that could not have voted in the last elections -- about 75% of the current Gaza populace.

Also of note: exit polls of the 2006 election had support for peace with Israel at ~80% and 75% thought Hamas should change its policy towards Israel.

Now of course, it is possible those young Palestinians have a more favorable view of Hamas, but it's also possible they might have a less favorable view. Opinion polls before the war had Hamas support declining over the years.

Were/are women allowed to vote there? Just curious.

 

[not2rich]

And I specifically used the "devil" because I just heard someone being interviewed who said it. It was an English speaker but I don't even know if it was one of the people here protesting for the "ceasefire" in the Capitol or somewhere else. We are neither a Jewish state nor a Muslim county so how is this the US's problem to solve (rhetorical question)?

We're supposedly the most powerful country on Earth and leader of the free world. If we have that kind of influence/status/power, it's our duty to use it responsibly. We're all humans, and the human population extends far beyond the borders of the U.S.

 

[Madmarsha]

We're supposedly the most powerful country on Earth and leader of the free world. If we have that kind of influence/status/power, it's our duty to use it responsibly. We're all humans, and the human population extends far beyond the borders of the U.S.

All I want is peace. I would adore if the US had the answer. We don't.

 

[not2rich]

I used to feel the US should just stay out of it. None of our business, we have enough problems.

Then I watched China and Russia buy up soft influence all over the world in just a matter of a few years to fill the void we left by not being there. I certainly see the benefit of being in other countries business. I do think we need to avoid backing and arming militia groups. That tends to blow up in our face just about every time.

The Vietnam War didn't mess us up too much because the country largely was on the same page with the Cold War. Afghanistan and Iraq really messed us up. Too many people can't distinguish between exercising influence and power in foreign countries in our national interest, versus getting bogged down in forever wars in foreign countries. That's how we get to a sizeable percentage of our country wanting to cut off aid to Ukraine, and no one really concerned about the possibility of an attack on Taiwan.

 

[not2rich]

All I want is peace. I would adore if the US had the answer. We don't.

What is "peace"? The U.S. might not have a good answer to most problems. There might not be any good answers. But know this - if the U.S. doesn't accept a leadership role, other countries whose leaders don't hold our values will be more than happy to step in. Whatever answers we have, theirs will certainly be worse.

 

[Madmarsha]

What is "peace"? The U.S. might not have a good answer to most problems. There might not be any good answers. But know this - if the U.S. doesn't accept a leadership role, other countries whose leaders don't hold our values will be more than happy to step in. Whatever answers we have, theirs will certainly be worse.

You know, I really don't know what "peace" is. And I really can't say more about the leadership role of the U.S. or it'll be political.

 

[not2rich]

You know, I really don't know what "peace" is. And I really can't say more about the leadership role of the U.S. or it'll be political.

Things like this can easily get political, for sure.

But siding with a democratic sovereign country invaded and brutalized by a more powerful, yet corrupt and autocratic, neighboring county, for no rational or justifiable reason, should not be political.

Siding with a democratic country whose citizens were murdered, raped and kidnapped in a terrorist attack should not be political.

Part of the problem with this country is that too many people form their opinions on tribal politics instead of trying to land on some nonpartisan conclusion based on simple right vs wrong.

 

[0rion]

What is "peace"? The U.S. might not have a good answer to most problems. There might not be any good answers. But know this - if the U.S. doesn't accept a leadership role, other countries whose leaders don't hold our values will be more than happy to step in. Whatever answers we have, theirs will certainly be worse.

Which makes me wonder....how many of those other countries are democratic and have citizens with freedom? Are any of the "trouble maker" countries full with citizens that have freedoms?

 

[0rion]

Man....I just stumbled upon a telegram channel called "Gaza now in English" which obviously tells a story from a certain point of view but there sure were alot of pics of kids that are hard to look at. Regardless of reasons or fault this sheet needs to end.

 

[Madmarsha]

Part of the problem with this country is that too many people form their opinions on tribal politics instead of trying to land on some nonpartisan conclusion based on simple right vs wrong.

There is no simple in this.

 

[V Chip]

Were/are women allowed to vote there? Just curious.

Yes. In fact if I read it correctly, 20% of local seats are reserved for women, and women constitute 21% of local positions in the last election in 2012 (only held in West Bank).

 

[superchuck500]

Hezbollah Watches and Waits

To understand the lull in Lebanon, look to Iran.

www.theatlantic.com

 

[DaveXA]

Hezbollah Watches and Waits

To understand the lull in Lebanon, look to Iran.

www.theatlantic.com

Wouldn't surprise me. Hezbollah is essentially a proxy for Iran. If Hezbollah declares war on Israel or vice versa, then Iran would be dragged into the conflict, willingly or not. Iran doesn't want a direct confrontation with either Israel or the US.

They have enough issues as it is with the war in Ukraine having a big impact on them.

I tend to agree with others who believe the 2 conflicts are related as both Iran and Russia have been meddling in the ME for years, even decades. So calling the current conflict in Israel another front in a larger war makes sense. Whether that evolves into WWIII idk, I just hope no one gets stupid with nukes.