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2004-12-09 Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Hizbullah achieves deterrence against Israel
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Posted by Alaska Paul 2004-12-09 4:43:06 PM|| || Front Page|| [11130 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1 Looks like pulling out of southern Lebanon has worked out really well for Israel. < NOT > They really need to move the border to the outskirts of Tripoli and Damascus over in Syria. Let those cities stare out at a pile of artillery pieces and rocket launchers for a while.
Posted by Laurence of the Rats  2004-12-09 4:58:59 PM|| [http://www.punictreachery.com/]  2004-12-09 4:58:59 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 I would like to thank Ehud Barak for bending over (not backwards) and giving up the Golan Heights.

If I were to ever meet you, I will buy you a drink. < NOT >
Posted by Poison Reverse 2004-12-09 5:27:22 PM||   2004-12-09 5:27:22 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Iran? What about "certain people" knowing about "certain hiding places" in Iraq, and shipping this stuff...
Posted by BigEd 2004-12-09 5:29:42 PM||   2004-12-09 5:29:42 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Iran? What about "certain people" knowing about "certain hiding places" in Iraq, and shipping this stuff...
Posted by BigEd 2004-12-09 5:29:55 PM||   2004-12-09 5:29:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 " As a result, Hizbullah calls the shots along the Israeli-Lebanese border "
Do you really think Isreal lets Hizbullah call the shots on the border ?
That is a statement like the Insurgency calls the shots in the Sunni Triangle.
Posted by tex 2004-12-09 5:30:28 PM||   2004-12-09 5:30:28 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Don't assume those JDAMs were for Iran. Syria command and control centres are also held at risk. The missle threat is real but over-rated, they're gone in 48 hours and N. Israel build houses thick.
Posted by Shipman 2004-12-09 5:33:52 PM||   2004-12-09 5:33:52 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 I call shenanigans. This seems a bit pessimistic. I liken this situation to that of N. Korea attacking the South, only on a much smaller scale. The first hour (few minutes in the case of Israel) would be bad, but the attackers would be destroyed in the next hour or two (15 minutes in the case of Israel). It may be that this is too high a price for a small country like Israel. However, it does make the case for preemption more compelling.
Posted by Tibor 2004-12-09 6:02:19 PM||   2004-12-09 6:02:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 There is a down side for Hizbullah here also.

They become hostages for Lebanon's stability. The govt of Lebanon/Syria needs stability to have economic growth and they need Hizbullah to be quiet to have stability.

One thing I'm not sure of is the cost Hizbullah bears to keep all their missiles and launchers in good condition.
Posted by mhw 2004-12-09 6:29:16 PM||   2004-12-09 6:29:16 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 We are talking a high concentration of missiles in a relatively small area, mostly the Bekaa Valley. The logical counter would be to use air-dropped pressure munitions, like propane bombs, that would cause sympathetic detonations over a wide area. Even in bunkers, each bomb might set off well over 100, 1000 or more missiles. This is assuming that they are properly stored and separated, which they probably aren't.
Posted by Anonymoose 2004-12-09 6:50:38 PM||   2004-12-09 6:50:38 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 The analogy with Korea is apt. The author, Jack Wheeler, of the article at the link believes that both the USA and Israel have the means to deal with massive artillery, missile/rockets & troops in a border situation near cities. Also the smart spears might be a solution to the Iranian nuke problem. http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/12/30/30344.shtml
Posted by Bernie 2004-12-09 6:52:15 PM||   2004-12-09 6:52:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 Nice link, Bernie. If only it were true.
Posted by Mrs. Davis 2004-12-09 7:19:23 PM||   2004-12-09 7:19:23 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 All the more reason for making it crystal-clear to Iran that any massive offense by Hizbullah will result in Kargh Island or some other vital Iranian asset being crippled. That Israel should have to constantly fight a proxy war with Iran is becoming ridiculous. Especially so, in light of Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and their avowed intention of instigating an atomic war in the Middle East.

Hold Iran responsible for Hizbullah. Period.
Posted by Zenster 2004-12-09 9:44:39 PM||   2004-12-09 9:44:39 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 I call BS on this one, sorry, AP - Israel wouldn't allow themselves to be subjected to this blackmail
Posted by Frank G  2004-12-09 11:10:53 PM||   2004-12-09 11:10:53 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 Anyone willing to consider now that Syria/Lebanon and not Iraq should have been the first target?
Posted by Aris Katsaris  2004-12-09 11:25:44 PM||   2004-12-09 11:25:44 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 nope - Israel has this covered
Posted by Frank G  2004-12-09 11:33:16 PM||   2004-12-09 11:33:16 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 Afghanistan was the first target.
Posted by lex 2004-12-09 11:34:41 PM||   2004-12-09 11:34:41 PM|| Front Page Top

#17 Yeah -- make that "first target *after* Afghanistan".
Posted by Aris Katsaris  2004-12-09 11:44:31 PM||   2004-12-09 11:44:31 PM|| Front Page Top

#18 No. Syria's Israel's problem. Saddam was the region's and our problem.
Posted by lex 2004-12-09 11:47:02 PM||   2004-12-09 11:47:02 PM|| Front Page Top

#19 Anyone willing to consider now that Syria/Lebanon and not Iraq should have been the first target?

Were there already violations by Syria or Lebanon of a previous agreement (a la Gulf War 1)? No? Then that's why Iraq came next.
Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2004-12-09 11:57:35 PM||   2004-12-09 11:57:35 PM|| Front Page Top

23:57 Bomb-a-rama
23:47 lex
23:44 Aris Katsaris
23:42 lex
23:42 AJackson
23:40 lex
23:40 Sobiesky
23:34 lex
23:33 Frank G
23:30 AJackson
23:29 gromky
23:27 Capt America
23:25 Aris Katsaris
23:24 gromky
23:23 AJackson
23:18 JosephMendiola
23:17 Ricky Williams
23:14 VAclerk
23:12 JosephMendiola
23:10 Frank G
22:56 phil_b
22:50 trailing wife
22:49 .com
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