Thanks for a very complete and insightful overview. Too bad the American government has little or no awareness of these geopolitical considerations. I was going to say "no awareness" but to be fair American policy makers do have some idea that Russia, Iran and China exist, and dimly glimpse those countries through the fog of the leftist mindset.
How the US treats its allies is always a crucial observation. Especially when -as in the case of Israel- much of the world is vocally united against them, and the US appears to join the chorus.
To me it seems that the US is the chorus leader. Or at least behind the scenes manager. The Obama dems have been looking to "stick it" to Israel day one and why not use a day of rape, murder and cruelty to get it done?
If some of the press reports as the time were accurate, Israel was heavily involved in toppling the Moslem Brotherhood's Morsi & installing el-Sissi as the Egyptian president. Israel has also been heavily involved militarily, particularly via the IAF, in assisting the Egyptians battle Islamic extremists in the Sinai. If not for this assistance, the Sinai would likely have been a mass graveyard for the Egyptian army.
Let's attack him here then. I have to admit that I haven't been paying attention to him until recently - too much info to take in. But now I can't get him out of my mind. The whole thing stunk to high heaven from the start.
The Mic benefits from a huge Egyptian army, unused weapons rust out and need to be repurchased with foreign aid, rinse wash repeat. Israel put up with a lot of unprecedented nahrshkeit after signing peace deals with the frenemies facilitated by the big frenemy. In hindsight, giving away Sinai no good.
Thanks for a very complete and insightful overview. Too bad the American government has little or no awareness of these geopolitical considerations. I was going to say "no awareness" but to be fair American policy makers do have some idea that Russia, Iran and China exist, and dimly glimpse those countries through the fog of the leftist mindset.
How the US treats its allies is always a crucial observation. Especially when -as in the case of Israel- much of the world is vocally united against them, and the US appears to join the chorus.
To me it seems that the US is the chorus leader. Or at least behind the scenes manager. The Obama dems have been looking to "stick it" to Israel day one and why not use a day of rape, murder and cruelty to get it done?
Yes. Did you read Judith Miller's piece on this topic in The Tablet?
Egypt hasn't been "in the West" since the 7th century. We've just paid them off since the 1970s.
That's what it takes for autocracies to be "in the west"
A hired gun is not a friend.
If some of the press reports as the time were accurate, Israel was heavily involved in toppling the Moslem Brotherhood's Morsi & installing el-Sissi as the Egyptian president. Israel has also been heavily involved militarily, particularly via the IAF, in assisting the Egyptians battle Islamic extremists in the Sinai. If not for this assistance, the Sinai would likely have been a mass graveyard for the Egyptian army.
Ingratitude to the nth degree.
Perceptive (and scary) analysis.
One thing that's been bugging me from the beginning of the current ordeal:
Qatar. We've got to talk about Qatar.
The US's biggest base in the ME is there. Does that US not have *any* leverage over Qatar? Doesn't Qatar have leverage over Hamas?
C'mon! Let's look at the 8000 pound gorilla - and his huge pile of crap on the carpet!
*******
"There has been a longstanding debate in Israel if it needs to train and prepare for war with Egypt.
Of course it does.
Qatar? Yes. No one likes to attack the rich uncle. No matter how crude he is (pun intended).
Let's attack him here then. I have to admit that I haven't been paying attention to him until recently - too much info to take in. But now I can't get him out of my mind. The whole thing stunk to high heaven from the start.
The Mic benefits from a huge Egyptian army, unused weapons rust out and need to be repurchased with foreign aid, rinse wash repeat. Israel put up with a lot of unprecedented nahrshkeit after signing peace deals with the frenemies facilitated by the big frenemy. In hindsight, giving away Sinai no good.
i don't agree with that. I think the peace treaty was good for Israel. With Al-Quaeda in Sinai, I am not sure I want to be responsible for that.
The problem is that too many people think its a permanent thing. We don't like preparing for the worst. If we do that - we will be fine.