WTF?!? Help "moderation" in Middle East by bombing a moderate government?

[Armstead]

After listening top Condi Rice today it made clear what seems to be a fundamental contradiction in Isreal's actions, and our tacit support for it.

If you take the NeoCons and Israel at their word that the goal is to support the position of "moderates" in the Middle East then it seems like the fragile coalition govdertnment in Lebanon is eactly what they should be supporting. (I realize "taking them at their word" is a dubious proposition)

But Israel's actions to bomb Lebanon to its knees to "convince" them to crack down on Hebollzah seems to be the exact opposite of that.

One can argue endlessly about whether Israel has the right or responsibility to go after the militant aspects of Hezbollah. But setting that aside, I find it hard to justify going after the whole country of Lebanon and undermining its government -- and possibly generating more popular support for Hezbollah.

Is it being naive to believe that such overkill by Israel (and by extention the US) is actually self-defeating to the very goals they claim to espouse?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. Without it's enemies, Israel would be a backwater.

A small "developing" country surrounded by other "developing" countries and rich feudal Arab sheikdoms. It would be of no more interest to us than as a possible transhipment point for oil.

If it weren't for the oil, news from the region would be on page 83 under the ads for foot-deoderant.

[Armstead]

2. Better a prosperous backwater than living in constant crisis

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. The same could be said for America.

If we didn't have the need to be #1 and the world's bully.

[Armstead]

5. That's probably going to be the result

It seems we're well on our way to becoming a big backwater instead of a major global power. With the help of the neocons and Corporate Elite we're quickly losing our ability to act as either a military, economic or diplomatic power.

Our own stupidity and arrogence is forcing that upon us as a result of the Law of Unintended Consequences

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. I, for one, will welcome it.

I've visited some "big" backwaters, (Japan & Canada). Kinda nice not having a government that needs to throw their weight around and "protect our vital national interests" ($$$$$).

[teryang]

3. Without its US defense contractor sponsors it would be a ...

..backwater. Israel creates demand for US defense contractor products, produces timely crises, and lowers unit costs and increases defense industry profits on high cost weapons systems (paid for by US taxpayers).