Middle East Out of Control, Baghdad Ready to Erupt

[kerrygoddess]

Middle East Out of Control, Baghdad Ready to Erupt
July 21st, 2006 @ 1:14 am

The Middle East is out of control…



While all eyes are on the conflict between Lebanon and Israel in the Middle East and the Israeli’s warned residents to evacuate from Southern Lebanon, AP reports that the “U.S. military confirms sharp rise in attacks” in Baghdad…

Bombings and shootings soared by 40 percent in the Baghdad area in the past week, the U.S. military said Thursday. An American general said extremists were preparing “an all-out assault” on the capital in a decisive battle for the future of Iraq.

U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said there had been an average of 34 attacks a day involving U.S. and Iraqi forces in and around the capital since Friday _ up sharply from the daily average of 24 registered between June 14 and July 13.

“We have not witnessed the reduction in violence one would have hoped for in a perfect world,” Caldwell told reporters. “The only way we’re going to be successful in Baghdad is to get the weapons off the streets.”

Caldwell said insurgents were streaming into the capital for “an all-out assault against the Baghdad area.”

Harry Reid finally gets that Iraq has devolved into a “civil war” and he plans to “try to bring the war back up for debate on the Senate floor.” Thanks Harry — you could have had John Kerry and Russ Feingold’s backs a few weeks ago.

And, incase anyone wonders what Bush thinks about all of this, the WaPo reports that he “sees an opportunity to remake the Mideast.” The entire Middle East seems to have erupted into a neo-con’s dream land… War and conflict everywhere. But, Bush doesn’t realize he’s actually in failing in the “War on Terrorism.”

Kofi Annan called for a cease fire in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, AFP reports that a “humanitarian disaster looms,” but… No one is listening… Suffer the Children.





LINKS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3662

[Kajsa]

1. Does ANYONE listen to the UN?

It seems like Kofi Annan's call for a cease fire is totally ignored
on both sides.

Doesn't the UN stand for something, anymore?

Nor do I see the BA making ANY effort to call for a resolution.
Their stance is " Israel has the right to defend itself" OK-
but does that mean WW III can erupt because of it?!?

This administration makes me sick!!!
They are the textbook case of bully/cowards.

[gratuitous]

2. The UN would have more credibility

If the United States had an ambassador who believed in the UN's mission, advocated for peaceful solutions to international conflicts, and who had the full backing of the president and the Senate.

Unfortunately, we're saddled with John Bolton and the Bush administration, who fail on all three counts. But George Voinovich suddenly thinks -- all evidence to the contrary -- that Bolton's a wonderful UN ambassador, and he'd like his appointment to be permanent through the remainder of the Bush administration.

Anybody know if there are any reports of sudden drops in oxygen levels in Washington? Because a lot of people are acting as goofy as a fighter pilot at high altitude without a mask.

[kerrygoddess]

4. Agreed...

This administration wants to do away with the UN. Sad.

[Igel]

3. No.

UNIFIL, the UN 'monitors' and 'peacekeepers' in the area, watched Hezbollah's military build up and militarization of the border.

UNIFIL was the subject of a rather heated exchange back in 2000: they had footage of Israeli soldiers' (soldier's?) abduction by Hezbollah, and fought over not releasing it.

Then there was the claim that UNIFIL folk and Hezbollah commanders are cozy enough with each other to sit and chat over tea.

Hezbollah ignores the UN when it suits them; Israel ignores the UN when it suits them.