Iain Anderson
:Banking Reform - Where Next?
European Parliament Web Team
:World Refugees Day: Giving a Better Reception to Those Fleeing Their Homes
Stephanie Allen
:Behind the Façade of the G8
Jeremy Cook
:The King Is Dead, Love Live the Carney
Boyan S. Benev
:Protesting with the Police on Your Side
The grim question if, how or when Teheran's nuclear armament could be thwarted by using force is on the minds of insiders and observers in the free world. Gradually the theory that an end in terror is preferable to terror without end is gaining the upper hand. The gruesome scenario of a general nuclear armament panic in the trouble spots of the Middle East unsettles large circles.
Many fear a solo effort on the part of Israel, and even there several nuances of the will to intervene exist. But Israelis agree on one point: an existential decision has to be made in the country itself.
In front of 15,000 supporters in Washington, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu read out a few sentences from an exchange of letters between the Jewish World Congress and the US government from 1944. The short letter was an appeal to bomb the recently discovered extermination camp in Auschwitz as soon as possible. The reply came five days later: "Such an operation could be executed only by diverting considerable air support essential to the success of our forces elsewhere... and in any case, it would be of such doubtful efficacy that it would not warrant the use of our resources... Such an effort might provoke even more vindictive action by the Germans."
In fact in the final phase of the Second World War the Allies were anxious to play down the atrocities against the Jews in Europe. They did not want to encourage the advocates of an independent Jewish state in Palestine in London and Washington. In 1939 London had blocked immigration to Palestine. I remember that as a commentator with the BBC I received a political directive 'from above' not to report in too much detail the barbarity of the liberated extermination camps.
There are certain parallels between the current crisis in Syria and the events of the 1930s. When dealing with brutal regimes, with which one cannot live peacefully in the long run, hesitation only prolongs human suffering and fills the oppressed with bitterness. Weakness on the part of the democracies discourages those who strive for freedom, and at the same time encourages unstable and weak regimes to pursue new and unpredictable policies.
We need 2get some young people around a table 2represent both Israel &Palestine, since no other country will give the Palestinians any land, &create a 2state solution. &yes, one similar 2the 1967 decision w/swaps. We need 2get them 2nature somewhere, together, at the table. Everything else makes no sense. And put to paper what we know we need. &keeping the region safe from Iran is as simple as a series of sitdowns w/setups of positive reinforcement from us &our allies in a step plan that will steer them away from a nuclear bomb. We shut them off from trade, but perhaps just reopening trade routes is not enough, perhaps we need to offer them a nice shiny toy in return for their steering away from world destruction. After all, they did sign the treaty saying they would. The world just wants them to keep their word.
Lisa Lindo www.thepolicygeek.com
Lisa Lindo
When I reread it, I realized how odd the title is.
"Weakness on the Part of Democracies Discourages Those Who Strive for Freedom" -- why is this the headline?
The main point of the story is about Israel (which has been considered a First World democracy throughout its brief history) and its concern about Iran's nuclear armament capabilities.
It seems to me this story is a bit of a jumble combined to push internal buttons in the US (and secondarily the UK) on behalf of the idea that Israel would be justified if it attached Iran and that if Israel is not backed up, it will lead to all kinds of terrible consequences.
I am terribly afraid of the various interests that are preparing the way for America to back up Israel over an Iranian attack. The US military do not agree with the Israeli government's assessment of the situation. It is easy for Israel to say it has the right to do what it wants. It's common knowledge that Israel does not have the capability to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities; only the US does.
This war mongering should stop.
1. It is a true democratic country (not an apartheid) with well-defined borders and comprehensive constitution.
2. Does not have a military. Only groups of helpers who go to their neighboring territories to build shelters and save lives on daily bases.
3. Always promotes peace and has never developed any nuclear or other weapons.
4. Buys many hearts in the Middle Eastern countries. Consequently we end up with more friends than enemies and that leads us to have access to cheaper oil.
5. We dot need this money any way. We are very well off and have no budget deficit .All our citizens have access to comprehensive health care.
6. If there is a conflict, she will do the fighting on our behalf. Our young soldiers never have to go to war theaters.
7. She never interferes in our political affairs. Never maintain over 20 plus political groups with misleading names, promoting her interest in our country. Does not control our major media.
8. Never spies on us and there is no case of spying currently or in the past.
9. Never pushed us to Iraq War and has no relationship with Richard, Paul, Douglas and Ron.
10. And finally because it makes us feel good, like we are living in a fantasy-land.
By now, even the slowest among us must note: who the terrorists are, where they are from, what motivates them are all fungible and changeable at the whim of those doing the defining. And of course, exhortations to end terrorism by those who would attack what they fear before it is fearsome always come with this attachment: that by attacking now, we will destroy our fear. A decade later, a few elective wars mostly behind us, have we destroyed terror? Will we have destroyed it in an attack on Iran?
And over that decade, those we have feared most, Al Qaeda, in Afghanistan and Iraq, have been beaten back if not altogether beaten--but at a great price to the locals: many tens of thousands of civilian deaths. Should Israel or the US or both attack Iran, the only guarantee: there would only be more. And out of the extended families of those who die will come tomorrow's terrorists.
Finally, I note the author is British. What, beyond cheerleading and standing shoulder to shoulder symbolically with the US as per always, no matter the party in charge, is the British government prepared to do in a campaign against Iran?
Which is why the third world's brutal autocracies like Iran are feeling empowered t day.
People forget that democracies that projected their strength between 1940 and 1990 liberated 100s of millions from fascists and marxist thugs.
Now, those same democracies project weakness and the world is less safe because of that.
What’s the good of a god that won’t do call outs? Its like an insurance policy, that works perfectly well right up to the instant when a claim needs to be made.
"The short letter was an appeal to bomb the recently discovered extermination camp in Auschwitz as soon as possible."
Maybe the answer should have been. Have all those who agree with this approach, meet at an airstrip before dawn. Combat gear and parachutes will be provided.
"the atrocities against the Jews"
cannot and never will be expunged by duplication. What we are required to do, or die, is resist such primitive behaviour towards any and all of our species.
"When dealing with brutal regimes, with which one cannot live peacefully in the long run, hesitation only prolongs human suffering and fills the oppressed with bitterness."
Isn’t this the same old final solution, rephrased in English? When in fact the actual solution comes as an unboxed set of three very simple questions.
Which when presented to an individual, leaves them dumbstruck at their own dumbness.
This "Lord" guy, the recent Rothschild articles, and others.
Are they trying to endear themselves to the "unwashed masses"?
If so, it's not working.