Now everybody wants peace ... Or so they say.

Things are heating up ...
Their has been an increasing amount of references by Israel's neighbors telling the World Press that they want peace yet prepare for war. Out of the other side of their mouths comes blatent references to the final blow and destruction of Israel.

Since 1948 (re-establishment of Israel) the Arab world has tried to move forward:

1| The first approach was through religous but secular modernizing via a King. Jordan and Morocco are currently the two remaining. These regimes fell through corruption, greed, and brutal oppression of the people they were to serve.
2| Pan-Arabism (regional cooperation through the lense of nationalism) was next. Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser was the most successful. This cooperation as well as the blatent propaganda of their Armed forces exposed the deceit and eventual corruption that Pan-Arabism became.
3| At the same time, Arab socialism (Syria and Iraq) or Marxism (Algeria) were established via the USSR as a battle field during the cold war. All Marxist / socialist experiments have since failed (PLO) for the same reason. Deceit, corruption, and brutal oppression of local people.
4| Now we see the call of the Islamic Republic and their return to a strict code of Islam. This is becoming a fight between secularism and nationalism.

Are we witnessing a united front by Hezbollah, Iran, and Syria? Or a regional coup d'état by the Iranians and their pawns? Are the Shia moving against the Sunni's regionally under the cloak of the Palestinian cause and Arab Nationalism (No, Iran is not Arab)?

Will Lebanon fall in line (again) after the Pro Democracy government is finally vanquished? Is this why Hezbollah is toning down their rhetoric now?

Is this happening as part of a wider regional plan to draw the fruits of the ongoing war between the US and the Jihadists (that Iran is willing to use as bargaining chips)?

Looks like an all out Propaganda effort to us ...

UPDATES: MMP and PRESS Analysis PENDING



Hezbollah ...
Last update - 07:31 15/08/2007
Nasrallah: Hezbollah doesn't want another war with Israel
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/893510.html


Syria ...
Last update - 14:07 15/08/2007
IDF general: Syrian army signaling Damascus does not want war
By Amos Harel, Barak Ravid, and Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondents
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/893779.html


Iran
Last update - 09:45 18/04/2007
Ahmadinejad: Iran wants peace but would confront aggressors
By DPA, Reuters and Haaretz Service
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/850027.html

Iran
Ahmadinejad: Iran wants peace, security, progress in region
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2006/iran-060227-irna04.htm

Why Iran Wants War--Ahmadinejad & Co. starring in Armageddon
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1639947/posts

Khamenei Tells Berri U.S., Israel Will be Defeated in Lebanon
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&EF9480DE83254480C2257227003C02CC





Do the Palastinians want Peace?
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/peres1
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2006/iran-060227-irna04.htm

On the Road to Nowhere ... Is No Where Home?

We keep reading the repeated references to Rice and Gate's failed Middle East diplomacy (touting the Saudi's comments that they "might" attend a regional conference) in the World Press and reports from diplomatic circles that everybody (friends, foes, and Jihadists alike) are now waiting out the Bush administration. They should... It makes good diplomatic sense.

Hearing the rhetoric from the Democratic campaign trails makes it clear. The next US administration appears willing to talk to Iran, Hamas, Sunni Extremists, etc. and negotiate from a more "Peace oriented" POV. Nobody wants to be in Iraq, nobody wants to fight anymore. The Jihadists know this and are excited by the prospects.

Will the american citizen be safer? No way. We lost the war. Let the victor's write the history.

Hamas invited to Russia for talks ... More Propaganda or has Putin changed his mind?

Well it had to happen ...

As reported by ... Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service

"Hamas lawmaker Halil al-Haya on Thursday claimed, however, that Russia had invited officials from the Islamic group to visit Moscow for talks.

Al-Haya told a Hamas-affiliated Palestinian magazine that the Russian government had officially invited a Hamas delegation, headed by Damascus-based Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal, to Moscow. Al-Haya would not specify the date, but said the visit would be in the coming days."


With Damascus based Khaled Meshal invited it appears that a statement will come out of such talks with clarification as to the new status. It appears certain that Hamas has requested such a meeting.

What do they hope to gain?

The Covert War in the Middle East

The covert war
Middle East has become espionage hub teeming with secret agents
Ronen Bergman
Published: 04.18.07, 16:35 / Israel Opinion


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3389359,00.html

Posturing for a new Middle East ... Is this Just flexing or real muscle?

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates have flown to the Middle East to initiate the process for a regional peace conference. They are currently in Jeddah Saudi Arabia. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office has issued a statement saying in sum that he hopes "Many Arab countries will attend the summit."

As has been the case in the past, US Presidents seem to get to the Middle East peace process almost after the fact. This seems to be true with this President as we watch the flurry of diplomacy. Rice seems like she is too late despite appearing to have wanted a different (engaged) approach. Gates has some credibility in his tough analysis of the man he replaced (Donald Rumsfeld). Then again this is the man who massively politicized intelligence during the Iran Contra scandal. A National humiliation.

As well, US President George Bush in some corners is considered to be the worst US President ever (at least since Herbert Hoover) Actually this has been a topic of discussion as far back as 2004 or more.

Who will listen to this President at this stage? Can Rice get regional Arab players to attend the summit? The answer might lie with Olmert who appears to be concession ready, as some would say, to save his skin.

related:news.xinhuanet.com

Putin Stabs Hamas in the back, downgrades ties.

We have seen such Global posturing (to the West) in the past, will it last?

Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas that "he is the legitimate leader of all Palestinians," Russian news agencies reported. What made the difference? Why make such a statement now?

Recently, Vladimir Putin has also sided with the West in speaking out against Iran's Nuclear ambitions (as part of the Security Council). Why?

What are the ambitions of Russia? They appear to be playing "all sides" and have little taste for being part of any team.

Can the world leave Russia unchecked in the Middle East?

Examples of Past Propaganda ...

As requested, here are some examples. Of course many more exist and I think that it might be best if I just add links as we go. Propaganda takes form in many ways. Let's make sure it does not animate here ;)

Originally Posted by Cynical-C.

Manufacturing consent

Children (statement by Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
Denouncing the lessons of hate via Palestinian curriculum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsmd4CfgMdM

TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s70KlZwb9RE



Film:
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/004680.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRlypk5OOpc

PallyWood - Manufacturing Consent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi0rUBx_yio


http://counterterrorismblog.org/mt/pings.cgi/309

Ambulance abuse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDY6m_9ao6Y

Middle East War is not about Land ...

Is the goal the destruction of the Jews?

what does Iran really want?
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/videos/32/glenn-beck-series-on-islam/


Breakdown of key Palestinian Players:
http://lawrenceofcyberia.blogs.com/photos/personalities/index.html

Olmert Seeks Direct Talks With Syria

Is Syrian President Basher Assad playing the field or playing for time? Is he fighting for legitimacy? What was discussed with Syria during the recent meeting with Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the unexpected visit by Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of Hezbollah? Lure Israel into a trap by suggesting peace? Or were they all scared by Syria's public peace overtures? The arms smuggling via Syria is a fact known by the UNIFIL (UN) forces, yet little can be (is) done with this knowledge. Recently, Russia has committed to selling 250 Long Range bombers to Iran. Why do they need so many Long Range bombers?

It appears Hafez al-Assad and Ehud Barak had many particular details pinned down (agreed) in 2001 for the illusive withdraw (peace). Or did they? What are the issues now?

Recently, "...Assad said he would be willing to send someone to the country, but would not hold direct talks with Israelis."

How does one make peace with some one who will not talk to you?


------------------------------
Olmert Seeks Direct Talks With Syrias
http://www.townhall.com/news/world/2007/07/21/olmert_seeks_direct_talks_with_syrias


Barak Interview:
href="http://www.nybooks.com/articles/15501

Economic Blog on the Middle East by MEMRI

(http://www.memrieconomicblog.org)


Operating under the context of economic advancement as opposed to all of the Bad news that comes out.
Where have they been?

Tensions mount between Palestinians

GAZA FACTS

Unemployment rate: 35.4 %

Number of Palestinians employed in Israel: 0

Two-thirds of households live below the poverty line

(Source: UN, May 2007)


Will Hamas and Fatah speak? Many Fatah commanders were killed during the "liberation" of Gaza.
Israel's involvement should be Humanitarian.

Israel must be the bigger partner to peace ...