State Department sources said Ms. Rice has been repeatedly stymied in her attempts to pressure Israel to end strikes against Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon. The sources said the secretary's trip to the Middle East last week was torpedoed by the Israeli air strike of a Lebanese village in which 25 people were killed.
"I've never seen her so angry," an aide said.
August 8, 2006
The rift between Rice and Bush.
Over the Israeli-Lebanon war:
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12 comments:
Johnny-
Here's the full quote-
SEC. RUMSFELD: It is -- I think if you think of what's happening in Lebanon and Israel right now, you see the face of the beginning of the 21st century. You see people who are not organized in military units that we're used to seeing. They don't wear uniforms. They are not sponsored by -- correction, they are not part of a national military. Rather, they're a network and organization, a terrorist group. They're violent. They hide among innocent civilians -- men, women and children -- and then go about killing people, basically civilians but occasionally military people as well.
Hezbollah is a violent organization. It's been on the terrorist list for many years. It's killed a great many Americans over the years. And it is a difficult task. They completely ignore the laws of war. They are engaged in attempting to terrorize people and alter their behavior.
They use terror as a weapon. It is -- it means that those countries, like ours, that are organized to fight big armies, big navies and big air forces are going to have to recognize that to protect our people, we're going to have to be able to deal with these irregular types of war, have to deal with so-called asymmetric attacks that do not directly go after your army, navy or air force. It's going to be a long effort. It's going to be an effort that's global. It's going to be an effort that's going to require all elements of national power -- not simply the military, but also financial instruments and diplomacy and alliances with many other countries.
And the current battlefields are what you're seeing in Lebanon and Israel, clearly in Iraq and Afghanistan. And of course, we've seen these periodic attacks in London and Madrid and the United States and many other places -- Bali. And it is -- it is possible for people to blow up people -- innocent men, women and children -- and terrorists do that.
Source:Defense Link
What did they use just the first sentence-if that?
While I understand and agree with Rumsfeld on his understanding of the situation, I agree with Rice on how to handle the Lebanon situation. The US does not have unlimited resources, nor do Americans have unlimited patience. Just with the Iraq war, Americans are already vacillating.
The real problem is that the rest of the world needs to realize that the US cannot be solely responsible for global security. As Rumsfeld said, if the US fails to contain Islamic fundamentalism, the first victims will be the moderate Arab states, than Central Asia, than Europe.
This will be portrayed by the left as more evidence that the wheels continue to fall off the Bu$hitler war wagon and of course Condi is trying to distance herself so she won't face charges as a war criminal along with the rest of the junta.
One thing that really jumps out at me is the old-style, unexplained anonymous sources. After having been completely acclimated to new-style, explained anonymous sources, just reading a story like this makes me really uncomfortable. Not that I think it actually makes a difference.
Yup, it's a conspiracy all right, one designed to give hizbullah false hope that they can still get a few licks in on Israel then regroup when a benign, ineffectual UN 'peace keeping' force moves in. The US government has not forgotten the 240 Marines killed in Beirut, nor the capture and death by torture of CIA station chief Bill Buckley by the bas*****. Secondly, Hizbullah is Iran's foreign legion and we all know it, especially the Jews. By not restraining Israel, the US is sending a message to Iran that portends what is to come if they don't cease with their development of nuclear weapons and stated intent of eradicating Israel from the face of the planet.
You folks trying to minimize this story are acting as though the link takes you to a liberal media outlet. It absolutely doesn't!
Insight Magazine is a tool of the gusanos while "State Department Sources" have been working to bring peace and freedom to the world for at least 47 years.
Republicans answer me this: which one hates America, Bush or Condi? Since clearly everybody who disagrees with administration policy loves terrorism and hates freedom, what happens when those within the administration disagree with each other? Which one is giving aid and comfort to the enemy?
dkl: Why should he use an "original rhetorical technique" rather than plainly labeling an actual strawman argument as such?
If you need it explained, allow me to point out that "Republicans" as a group do not, in fact assert or beleive that dissagreeing with the President makes one anti-American.
Thus the assertion that they do as part of the argument makes it a strawman, by definition.
Originality is far less important than accuracy, I think you'll find.
I should think it is a good thing to have disagreements every now and again. It shows that the top officials are thinking and tossing ideas around.
Freder Frederson said...
And that message is what exactly? That a couple thousands loosely organized militia with World War II technology (Katuysha rockets and AK-47s) can tie down the most professional, highly trained, and best equipped military in the Middle East.
I don't think that is the message that was intended when Israel went on this ill-advised adventure a month ago...
The newspapers have been spinning the situation in similar fashion to Federson above. But I tend to disagree.
Basically both groups miscalculated. Hezbollah figured it could pick up some Israeli hostages, and ultimately do a grand swap, freeing thousands of people in Israeli jails in exchange. They miscalculated, and big time, which is why Hezbollah is pushing for a cease fire now.
Israel figured that they would go in, and basically, kick total ass once and for all, sending a message to certain important observerers (Syria, Iran, Hamas), but they miscalculated in terms of Hezbollah's ability to remain hidden inside of the wider population. It's very hard to beat an enemy who is holding a baby to block your bullet (the Hezbollah way).
But to leap to the idea that the IDF is "tied down" is absurd. Steadily they are taking land (which is why Lebanon and Hez are having a fit about making sure Isreal must leave as part of any deal).
As much as the papers are saying "Oh look, Israel is getting rocked", and with a certain amount of restrained glee, the IDF pushes onward, actually taking land, and making a point. (The point being, "you can't always assume we will repond with equal measure", "we are not afraid to defy the world while kicking your ass", and "we will take everything you have unless you leave us be"). That is a strong message, and eventually, when it all dies down, Nasrallah will be taking calls from even friends asking him, "Uh, Nas, WTF were you thinking?" He will shrug his shoulders, and say, "I dunno, I F'ed up, but send us more money to rebuild our networks).
What is actually quite comical is the fact that Hezbollah is flinging up missiles/rockets at the rate of 150 per day, and the damages to Israel have been minor. That being the case, isn't if quite okay if your enemy shoots his entire load, and misses your face?
Quite.
Israel which just push harder, deeper, forcing everyone up into a corner, cleaning the rest of the room, and then when done, the UN will step in to restrain what started this all: Hezbollah flinging rockets into Israel and getting it's jollies under the assumption that Israel would not hit back.
(And I say that, still wanting to see the Palestinians with a home, and wanting our government to have a more nuanced position in dealing with terrorists and rogue states, but still, sometimes whip ass is just necessary. And what we are doing in Iraq (trying to build a society) is apples to Israeli's oranges (whipping ass).
Typo corrections in my previous post, boldfaced:
"That being the case, isn't it quite okay if your enemy ....
and
"Israel will just push harder...
(I'm sure there are others, including spellings, just edit me in one's head).
And that message is what exactly? That a couple thousands loosely organized militia with World War II technology (Katuysha rockets and AK-47s) can tie down the most professional, highly trained, and best equipped military in the Middle East.
You don't give Hizbollah enough credit. They had six years to prepare. They had training, funding and time. They are tough and they are hanging in, but Israel still hasn't brought its foot down.
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