Hezbollah supporters attending a protest in Dahiyeh, Lebanon, on Friday against the Gaza blockade carry Palestinian flags. (AP)
Is Hezbollah its own political nation state, too? (click here) It displays a Palestinian flag. When will the Palestinians 'unit' under one political authority?
The Russian system, called the S-300, is one of the most advanced multi-target anti-aircraft-missile systems in the world today and has a reported ability to track up to 100 targets simultaneously while engaging up to 12 at the same time. It has a range of about 200 kilometers and can hit targets at altitudes of 27,000 meters.
Israel is always in a crisis simply because of the lack of mutual peace in the region. The latest is the expiration of a treaty with Hamas. That in and of itself isn't the reason for this entry. That in and of itself is not a crisis with the PALESTINIANS. It is, however, re-establishing hostilities for aggression by both Israel and Hamas. There are elements in Israel that would like a change in tone toward Hamas in Gaza. It also accompanies the difference in politics. It is an interesting 'pause' in aggressions.
In actuality, Hamas is NOT a sovereign authority. The 'truce' should exist between the ELECTED authorities of Palestine and rebel elements such as Hamas. Israel recognizing Hamas as a diplomatic priority is actually recognizing divided Palestinian authority established due to violence/law breaking.
If Hamas in Gaza wants to act as 'separatists' then they need to seek relief through changes in the Palestinian Constitution which could delinate between Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and other settlements. I may be that perpetual conflict can result if Hamas is not allowed a sovereign authority. The question that arises, however, is that establishing Hamas as a sovereign entity dilutes any established 'ethnicity' and rewards 'political states' different from 'ethnic states.' Hm?
Tensions Rise as Hamas Ends Truce With Israel (click here)
By Robert Berger Jerusalem
19 December 2008
Tensions are high on the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip after a cease-fire comes to an end. Palestinian militants in Gaza fired rockets into southern Israel, formally ending a six-month old cease-fire. The truce expired on Friday, and the Islamic militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza, said it would not be renewed. A masked member of the Hamas military wing, Abu Obeida, said all Palestinian factions agreed that Israel has not abided by the cease-fire and therefore they would return to armed resistance....
Last update - 07:08 19/12/2008
ANALYSIS / Barak's restraint in Gaza is a huge elections gamble (click here)
By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent
The debate in Israel over a large-scale operation in the Gaza Strip is a debate between two opposing security doctrines: preemption versus postponement. Proponents of an invasion argue that it is better to fight Hamas before it grows even stronger, as that will reduce casualties on both sides. Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who heads the opposing camp, holds that it is better to wait: Perhaps something will change in the Palestinian arena or in the Arab world, thereby preventing a bloody war, and if not, waiting until Hamas escalates the conflict will make it easier to mobilize both domestic and international support for an operation....
The reason for this entry is the overwhelming focus by Israel's citizens on the armaments from Russia to Iran. There are sales of 'anti-aircraft' missiles to Iran.
(From the article at the title to entry) ..."The deliveries of dangerous armaments to our enemies won't serve the interests of peace and, for instance, can help Iran wipe Israel off the face of earth," the Interfax news agency quoted envoy Amos Gilad was quoted as saying....
Let me first note that anything Russia is selling Iran can be duplicated by the USA as noted in the film loop above. There is also technology being developed by Israel to counter any form of war machines Iran owns. In realizing that is established the fact that Iran is nullified of aggressions using these weapons and sales of these armaments by Russia speaks to concerns by Iran of USA aggression from Iraq. This IS NOT about Russian aggression, so much, as stabilizing the region from more warfare. Balance of power.
Israel warns Russia: If you sell your air-defense system to Iran, we'll neutralize it.
Barak in new threat: If Israel is provoked, the IDF is ready to 'attack Iran and succeed uncompromisingly' (click here)
Jerusalem Post - Jerusalem
Author :: YAAKOV KATZ
Date :: Aug 8, 2008
"Russia will have to think real hard before delivering this system to Iran, which is possibly on the brink of conflict with either Israel or the US, since if the system is delivered, an EW [electronic warfare] system will likely be developed to neutralize it, and if that happens it would be catastrophic not only for Iran but also for Russia," the defense official said....
Also noteworthy is that Israel has well established diplomatic relations with Russia under Sharon that should be accessed by its leadership.
That established, it is more interesting to realize 'the reason' for the arms sought by Iran's Ahmadinejad. Same 'ole, same 'ole. No different than seeking ? peaceful ? use of nuclear technology, the more 'powerful' the Shia Nation of Iran appears the more political clout the Iranian President BELIEVES he establishes. The reasons for the arms to Iran by the demands of their leadership, is to establish a sovereign 'protectorate' nation of the Shia. No other reason. Anti-aircraft missiles are a part of that. The USA has been in Iraq now for well over five years and there is no reason to believe the issue of POTENTIAL American Aggression toward neighboring nations will change without troop withdrawal. Hence, Iran for reasons that are its own, shadowed in legitimacy, will continue to escalate tensions in the region by arming itself.
So, I'll say it again, at least for one last time:
We don't belong in Iraq.
We never did !
So what then is on the minds of the average Iranian citizen? What is on your mind?
M-O-N-E-Y
Why?
Because Iran is in debt to Russia and they want to perhaps purchase anti-aircraft missiles in a paranoid reaction of the occupation of Iraq.
Iran mulls financial bailout as stock market falls (click here)
Atta Kenare / AFP/Getty Images
UNDER PRESSURE: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who faces elections in June, is under pressure to act after the stock market hit a five-year low.
A key index has fallen more than 2,000 points as businesses are hit by flagging oil and commodities prices. An ailing economy could hamper President Ahmadinejad's prospects in June elections.
By Borzou Daragahi and Ramin Mostaghim December 19, 2008
Reporting from Tehran and Beirut -- Iran is considering a $300-million financial bailout plan for companies listed on its weakened stock market, a newspaper reported this week, as share prices falter for businesses hurt by sagging oil and commodity prices....
