America's Mideast woes don't begin and end with Israel

1. The article was spot on only for an abject apologist for everything Israel does. Not all of us have that problem. 2. As to lessening hostility, one may be hostile to another nation without going to the point of wanting war. Can't you understand the concept of LESS hostile? 3. If you took the trouble to read the article (a good idea before you comment on it) you would have seen the sentence "Ever wondered why it is that when senior U.S. officials visit Ramallah, the streets are never hung with stars and stripes?" My remark about hanging out a US flag was a specific reference to something in the article. I couldn't care less if they never hand out our flag (and can easily see why they don't). 4. As to old alliances, we have been on the same side as and fought against many nations (England, Germany, China, Russia in the Cold War, Italy, etc., etc.,etc.). Old alliances only mean that AT THAT TIME our interests coincided. Sometimes our interests change.

Funny that hamas weren't big news till its support from israel to counter secularist PLO and use to it for its own gains. Hezbollah were formed after israels subsequent invasion of lebanon and support of mass-murdering christian militias. Actually israel has been of little help in the war of terror, according to reports from the iraq primeministers office, israeli agents have been found to been supporting kurdish separatists and terrorists groups as well as al-queda. Jordan and her security services have been of far greater importance in tracing and removing active terror cells. Lets not forgot whose support baluchi separatists, jadullah in iran-pakistan-afghanistan triborder area. Last time I remember, it was those christians whom were carrying out those weekly pogroms and the muslims whom at many different times throughout history fought with and protected us from invading christians armies. These guys even killed the christian arabs.

Former Secretary of State, General Alexander Haig, a former Supreme Commander of NATO, refers to Israel as "the largest, most battle-tested and cost-effective US aircraft carrier, which does not require a single US personnel, cannot be sunk and is located at a most critical area for US national security interests." And which emphatically does not take orders from any US military officer or politician. Have US warplanes ever started an offensive missio from Israeli bases? I've never heard of it, and the reason is obvious -- if word ever got out it would incline neutral nations to oppose the USA. So, a US aircraft carrier that does not follow orders, that we cannot use. Still, it costs only $3 billion a year.

The authors of this article basically say that, even if the US and Israel were to give in to all the demands of people like you, you'd NEVER be satisfied.You'd STILL want all the Israelis to die and for ISrael to disappear.This is what many Israelis and not enought Europeans nor Americans have started to understand.It is no surprise that Israel demands that, in an eventual peace agreement between Israel and the palestinians, the palestinians will have to agree to a total cessation of hostilities, incitement, but, most importantly, the end to all of their demands.The fact that no palestinian leader EVER wanted to agree on that last point - the end of all demands from Israel - only proves that the palestinians never intend for this conflict to end.Why? Because the pals only want the kind of peace where ISrael ceases to exist.This is why Netanyahu and the Israeli right are weary of any more concessions to the palestinians, and rightfully so.

after US rolled Sadaam back from Kuwait Afghanistan turned on the USA after they helped them expell the Soviets US pro Arab tilt till 1967 got them a whole bunch of "non allied" translation pro Soviet Arab states. Sending US troops in to battle for Moslems in Kosovo has not stopped Islamists for a second.

I realize America American leaders all have settlement freeze up on the brain every other word is settlement freeze and so return the Golen Heights to Syria do the Arabs need such a friend certainly they do not teach the Arabs character but a form of cowardness found only in Americans 9 11 should have taught America Arabs reject this form of cowardness but it did not if any thing America believes the Arabs want more cowardness not character such is how the American mind works thinks functions RIGHT ??? Thank You... M. S.

Before and after he attacks the US - in Africa, Yemen and New York (9/11) he declared, over and over again, that the reasons are US presence in the Mideast, especially in Saudi Arabia, and the US western influence on the western world. Israel has nothing to do with it. Even if Israel will disappear tomorrow, the US will have to keep fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama said he will end the war, but today he knows better.

The incident you refer to (Syria and Jordan) happened 40 years ago. The Cold War is over. The world has changed. Ar you going to go back to WWII and the alliances we had then?

Alliances only work when the leaders of both countries pull their weight equally. Blood is worth more than money, power and oil.

Israel has abused its relations with its US sponsor. America is justifiably tarred with the same brush as its protected and delinquent protege in the Middle East.

In 1970, a Soviet proxy, Syria, invaded a US ally, Jordan, aiming to topple the Hashemite regime and activate a pro-Soviet domino scenario into Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. US forces were overly-involved in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, but Israel mobilized its military, forcing a Syrian evacuation of Jordan, thus preventing a collapse of pro-US regimes, a setback to US national security, havoc in the Arab oil-producing countries and a blow to the US standard of living. Israel's capability of snatching roasting chestnuts out of the fire ? with no US involvement ? transformed President Nixon into a supporter of enhanced US-Israel strategic cooperation, in spite of the fact that only 12% of US Jews voted for him, and irrespective of severe US-Israel disagreements over the Arab-Israeli conflict.

According to Brig. General Michael Vane, Deputy Chief of Staff at the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Israeli experience played a role in defeating terrorists in Iraq's "Sunni Triangle." According to Senator Daniel Inouye, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense and a veteran of the Intelligence Committee, "Israel's contribution to US military intelligence is greater than all NATO countries combined."

According to Brig. General Michael Vane, Deputy Chief of Staff at the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Israeli experience played a role in defeating terrorists in Iraq's "Sunni Triangle." According to Senator Daniel Inouye, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense and a veteran of the Intelligence Committee, "Israel's contribution to US military intelligence is greater than all NATO countries combined."

Former Secretary of State, General Alexander Haig, a former Supreme Commander of NATO, refers to Israel as "the largest, most battle-tested and cost-effective US aircraft carrier, which does not require a single US personnel, cannot be sunk and is located at a most critical area for US national security interests."

"Lying by inference"(Potobac) Not really ... The article is spot on. "He never said it would END all problems. Does anyone doubt it would LESSEN hostility?"(Potobac) Does anyone doubt that there is no such thing as being half pregnant? Hostility IS hostility and Al quaida would continue it's hostility towards the USA and it's interests, with or without Israel ... Also, with the way we have slanted our policy in favor of Israel, why would anyone in Ramallah hang out an US flag?"(Potobac) OK we get, your biggest problem is that no one in Ramallah will hang out a US flag. That's your perogative to be concerned by that. Fortunately though other people in the US have other concerns which include loyalty to old alliances. Each to their own ... It is a free country after all.

Reflected in the terms of the Saudi Peace Initiative, and the insistence on them being non-negotiable. It's a given that Israel's Arab neighbors realize that peace, and even normalized relations, with Israel is to their benefit; especially in light of the growing threat emanating from Iran. But selling the idea to their people requires those terms to be just as they are, because each of them addresses a specific item of contention, which collectively, fuel the popular antagonism towards Israel in the Middle-East. They cannot exist if normalized relations are to effectively take place. The Arab governments know this, and its why they insist Israel accept the terms as they are.

And the facts don't originate with him. His is only the latest, and most publicly stated since Bush's change to America's National Security Strategy back in 2001, which led to Bush's "road map", and its resolves for a two state solution. This isn't something new, the State Department has been aware of it for well over 10 years. Are you two pups too young to recall Sharon's jaw nearly hitting the floor when the U.S. declared the need for addressing the underlying problems that fuel terrorism, with Bush naming the Palestinian issue in particular? Sharon had anticipated 9/11 would change the American stance in ways that would allow Israel more freedom to deal with the Palestinians on its own terms; instead he had the road map dumped in his lap with an emphatic "you will". Bottom line, while your conjectures and generalities are nothing more than that, Petraeus's views, and that of the State Department, are based on intelligence gathering and the analysis of fact.

We know what the USA gets from Israel. We benefit from lots of their scientific discoveries and engineering inventions. We learn military strategies. We get intelligence. Most of our generic medicines come from Israel. The USA benefits plenty from Israel.

brothers use to kill Israelis is imported. The idea being to obliterate Israel by Islam

In 1982, Israel's Air Force was the first ever to destroy a Soviet built surface-to-air network. Israel destroyed 23 of the most advanced Soviet surface-to-air missile batteries, employed by Syria and considered impregnable. Israel's battle tactics and lessons, electronic warfare and other technological innovations were shared with the US, thus tilting the global balance of power in favor of the US According to Brig. General Michael Vane, Deputy Chief of Staff at the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Israeli experience played a role in defeating terrorists in Iraq's "Sunni Triangle." According to Senator Daniel Inouye, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense and a veteran of the Intelligence Committee, "Israel's contribution to US military intelligence is greater than all NATO countries combined."

In 1970, a Soviet proxy, Syria, invaded a US ally, Jordan, aiming to topple the Hashemite regime and activate a pro-Soviet domino scenario into Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. US forces were overly-involved in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, but Israel mobilized its military, forcing a Syrian evacuation of Jordan, thus preventing a collapse of pro-US regimes, a setback to US national security, havoc in the Arab oil-producing countries and a blow to the US standard of living. Israel's capability of snatching roasting chestnuts out of the fire ? with no US involvement ? transformed President Nixon into a supporter of enhanced US-Israel strategic cooperation, in spite of the fact that only 12% of US Jews voted for him, and irrespective of severe US-Israel disagreements over the Arab-Israeli conflict.

It's only 2.7Billions and not in "free weapons".Israel purchases ten fold more from American Industries.Egypt gets the same 2,7billions and Jordan gets 800Million.This was a result of the peace treaty that returned the Sinai to Egypt(huge mistake)..Funny how every anti-Israeli professional mouth piece forgets the money that goes to Egypt,to Jordan and to the 'pal' professional "refugees"...

The biased support of Israel by the US is seen by most Arabs as The tail wagging the Dog Israel being the small stubby tail It just don't make any sence it time America clipped it tail off

don't like democracy, freedoms of speech and press, debate and critical thinking, women or gay rights or child rights or relgious or cultural diversity. They hate that the US concept of human rights and a high standard of living is the code of the world and not Sharia of the Middle Ages where progress and the joy of life doesn't exist.Islamists want to destroy the US constitution which is the opposite of their plans for humanity. Israel is the obstacle not the cause of terrorism.They hate and are jealous of freedom. Israel is protecting the west for 60 years but you are so full of hate and bias as judging from your consistant Israel bashing posts all over. Too bad you have such a narrow vision you could have used your anger for good instead of incitement. Arabs have more rights in Israel than anywhere else in the ME! god bless Israel! May god open your eyes so you can see the truth

The taliban, al qaeda and iraqi insurgents aren't fighting because of Americas attitude towards israel but because America has invaded and is occupying their land. Who comes up with these stories?

What America got and still getting.1)If not for Israel,you would be riding a donkey or peddaling a bike,or paying at least 10$US a gallon of gaz,since 1956.Reason,the Suez Canal would be a Russian crek and the Mediterranean a huge Russian Naval Base.2)The USA gets tons of Technology from Israel,including improvements on air to ground missiles,anti-missile missels,drones,and many other goodies.Including cherry tomatoes...3)The 2,7Billion dollars were a result of peace treaty that returned the Sinai to Egypt .The 2,7Billion return ten fold in Equipments Israel purchases from the USA...Egypt also gets 2,7Billion and Jordan 800Million..What Egypt and Jordan do with their Billions,only allah knows...The great advantage of this treaty is that both Egypt and Jordan are USA allies still...4)I'm afraid all this reasoning will not change your biases,but there are great psychiatrists in Dallas and they can treat you...They do not aply electric shocks anymore,but insulin shoks will do.

Think again. The Israeli issue has bogged this world down for 70 years. It's time for the UN (the world) to settle this issue. Israel is incapable of any rational thought. All zionist are delusional. If Israel didn't have AIPAC, the US would side with the majority of humanity.

I get extremely tired of all the bleeding hearts on here always trying to blame Israel for ME wows. Lets start tossing some missiles into the backyard of the EU and western nations and see how long that lasts!! Our world has gone mad!

Former Secretary of State, General Alexander Haig, a former Supreme Commander of NATO, refers to Israel as "the largest, most battle-tested and cost-effective US aircraft carrier, which does not require a single US personnel, cannot be sunk and is located at a most critical area for US national security interests."

by selling out the Palestinians. We don't have to agree with them, we don't even have to like them, but we do need to respect international law, human rights, and human dignity. That is the USA's best foreign policy tool.

There is no doubt that the Israeli/Palestinian conflicts complicate US/Arab relationships even though it might not be the single cause. The reality and perception of the US being a benefactor and biggest supporter of Israel, in extension reflects on the US when it comes to the continued occupation of the WB as well the siege over Gaza. It is a complete different conversation weather this occupation and siege are just and serves Israel interests but there no denying it casts a shadow over US middle eastern policy in regard to the Arab world.

because they want you infidels out of the ME. The source for your claim? The exact quotes will do

brothers import.To "obliterate Israel by Islam".

the greatest obstacle to global caliphate is out of the way.

US would need to end its illegal occupation of Iraq and exploitation of Iraqi oil,also halt Israeli settlements, then maybe we can see some change.

There are several flawed arguments in this piece. It is an oversimplification to say that Israel returning to 1967 borders will not affect Taliban etc, but it would greatly affect the politics in those countries mentioned, and the effectiveness in their eliminating extremists. While those extremist groups may have sought widespread, Israel's actions would surely have provided them with that support. Another flawed argument is that one needs to look at these extremist groups for adverse affects of Israel's push for greater Israel. On the contrary, the justifiable political opposition to Israel due to this and many other Israeli actions, in middle east and beyond, including large percentages of their populations, is both more threatening for Israel, and more reason for Israel changing its policies, and returning to the 1967 borders.

be an improvement on this tripe.

What a silly analysis...are these guys actually paid?

That was the goal in promoting Hamas as an alternative to the PLO. Let then pray to God for freedom instead of politics or resistance. how did that work out for you? Petraus spoke the truth... Just because he didn't mention the settlements? The settlements are an indication of interest in peace...NONE

We all know what Israel gets from our 'special relationship.' Billions of dollars every years, special loan guarantees, tax breaks for 'charities' such as Settlement building, the unquestioned use of America's UN Veto. But what does America get in return? We get to be held in contempt. To have our government humiliated. We have even seen the Israeli government actively propagandizing against the current US administration. Last, and perhaps worst, we get absolutely no cooperation. I can't blame Israel for it's satisfaction with this arrangement. It is 100% one way. The US gives and Israel gets without any reciprocation or responsibility. What have over 40 years of unquestioned fealty by the USA produced for the USA? A hopeless position in the Mideast. It is time the USA start demanding some payback. Or, for Israel to learn how to get along without America. Fair is fair, and it's time for America to stop being a nebbish and time for Israel to stop being a putz.

I agree that viewing the West Bank as integral to the *Historic Israel* is dangerous to the survival of Israel. I also agree that General Petraeus testimony was shaped by the White House to serve its purposes. I disagree that the present issue is the 1600 housing units, or even settlement policy. The controversy contrived by the administration is a red herring, distracting from the same disagreement between Washington and Jerusalem that surfaced in that May, 2009 meeting between Obama and Netanyahu: Iran policy. The Obama policy of conciliation, great ideal but not realistic, has proven as much a failure as the Bush policy of pre-emption applied to Iraq and Afghanistan. Bush destabilized the region by eliminating Sadam who, acknowledging his enormous faults, kept Iran at bay, protected US interest in the region. Bush threw wide the door for Ahmadinejad. And Afghanistan is another unwinnable and continuing distraction for the US away from the real threat, the Iran and the bomb.

As a typical zionist you ignore facts and history. Over the past few centuries the Muslim world has had a constant history of being invaded, subjugated and humiliated by the West. Don't you think that could be some motivation of hostility toward another European incursion into their world doing the same thing?

WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN IF U.S. DROPS IT'S SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL.THIS SUPPORT WAS NEVER EQUAL TO THE SUPPORT U.S. GAVE THE SAUDIES OR OTHER OIL ARABS ON BEHALF OF WHOM WE FOUGHT TWO WARS.ISRAEL WILL DECLARE ITSELF A NUCLEAR STATE AND THAT WILL BE THE END OF THE MATTER. RIGHT NOW ISRAEL IS THE LIGHTNING ROD FOR EUROPE'S PAST OFFENCES AND YES U.S. POLICIES. LITVAC.

Obviously living in London you will be aware of a day designated 7/7 when Londons transpot network was attacked by four lads from Leeds under the auspices of al Qaeda. Thousands of miles from Palestine even further away from Afghanistan and Iraq. As is the want of suicide bombers they left a video in which they state clearly on more than one occasion that the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and Britains support of israel made them do it. Then there is Ozzy Bin Laden who has stated he got the idea for 9/11 (you may remember what happened on the day) that he got the idea for it by watching Israelis flying American supplied planes dropping American supplied munitions on Beruit. As an Israel firster it is your role to obsfucate, belittle and deflect to enable further ethnic cleansing by Israeli Jews. Fortunatly general Patreaus, has told it how it is. It is only a matter of time now, and you know this,the dream of a Greater Israel with lebensraum to the East is over.

if you are correct then explain islamic fundamenatlism in nigeria, southern thailand, xinjiang, afghanistan, somalia, morrocco, algeria, chechnya, pakistan, iranian revolution, mindanao, ...... the list is endless...where's the jewish/israel connection ? it really isnt that complicated....granted that muslims are angry usa supports israel....but then is usa foreign policy subject to the demands of muslims ? and what role does your infidel status play in all this ? think about it.

I don't think any sensible thinking people did believe that the day there was a 2-state settelement, Islamic terrorism would cease. But there is no reason why that should act as an obstacle to Israel ending its occupation. 2 wrongs don't make a right.

America gives Israel at least three billion dollars worth of weaponry every year, free of charge. Israel uses these weapons to kill Arab civilians. More than 1000 dead civilians in Lebanon in 2006, and more than 1000 dead Palestinians in Gaza more recently. Does America give free weapons to any other nation? No. Could Americas action of giving so many weapons to Israel be considered "anti-Arab"? You tell me.

In this farce of a debate, there is a panel of 4.....2 on the hamas side, and 2 on the PA side... The only discussion taking place, is how best to get rid of ALL of israel...this is not about gaza and WB, it is about israel INSIDE the green line...israel rightly knows what they are facing...the people here on haarets and elsewhere around the world who THINK this code word "occupation" is about gaza and west bank are either delusional, ill informed, ignorant or anti semitic. It IS that simple. All of you who deny this with this excuse or that excuse simply are avoiding the truth, as time and time again is laid bare from the mouths of the PA, HAMAS, the lebanese, the syrians, the iranians, the saudis etc... What a disgrace the arabs are and by defacto, Obama. Obama KNOWS that the arabs at large are not talking about WB and Gaza, nor about golan or shaaba farms...HE KNOWS and yet he won't come out and say to the arabs, until you accept Israel even INSIDE the green line, we will not engage in a false peace process, and not only that, but we will strengthen israel and strengthen her security. Nabil shaath and abdullah abdullah are on the PA side of this farce called a debate in doha..and BOTH of them are for taking down all of israel. This is the so called moderate side of the palestinians....what they want is perfectly crystal clear. It is a complete joke...if you ask me, israel is being pushed into a false peace, KNOWING that this is a trojan horse. Obama is a real disgrace.

US policy today is apparently reconciled to a nuclear Iran, has retreated (if ever it were more ambitious) to a policy is of appeasement, containment and deterrence. This not only frightens the region, Arabia and Israel, but places at jeopardy America*s credibility and strategic interests in the region. In 1957 President Eisenhower sided with Nasser against England, France and Israel and laid the groundwork for Soviet penetration in the oil-rich and strategic region. Today the US (Bush past, Obama present) is passively encouraging Iranian hegemony. And Iran today, as Egypt in 1957, is backed by Russia.

The biased support of israel by the US has been going on for over 50 years. This support has caused a sense of bitter resentment and injustice in the Arab and even Muslim world. The authors of this article conveniently skip over the fact that this longstanding US policy in favor of Israel has had a significant influence in the emergence of extremists in the Arab/Muslim world. Nobody is saying that these extremists will all disappear the day there is a just peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but peace will go a long way in undoing US's longstanding mistaken policies in this conflict. The authors of this article also conveniently skip over the fact that this biased support of Israel by the US is to large extent a result the Jewish lobby/money. Anyone who denies that the biased support of Israel by the US as well as the excessive power of the Jewish lobby $$ is not a liability for the US - Arab/Muslim relation is a self serving Zionist and not a friend of the US.

from the U.S and the U.S gives israel carte blanc to occupy ,steal land and bulldoze houses so yeah U.S does deserve the name big satan

u r an infidel dodo.... thats why they hate you.

you are a source of amusement, the sheer stupidity of yr comment about foreigners "citing israel's occupation palestine".... if thats what motivates them then why they thousands of miles away ? even iraq is closer, what about lebanon ? dont u see how prattish yr remarks are ?

with the exception of the last paragraph, this was a mature article.

Because it's THERE, not merely because of anything it has done. Israel is located smack dab in the middle of Dar el-Islam, "the House of Islam", meaning all land conquered by Muhammad and his followers. According to Muslim belief, no non-Muslim entity is allowed to exist in the House of Islam, unless it is subjugated to Muslim rule. And since Israel is not subjugated to Islam, and flaunts its Jewishness and independence, it is HATED, oh boy is it HATED! No territorial concessions on Israel's part are going to diminish that hatred, until Israel's eastern border becomes the Mediterranean.

Talks about all this decadence in the west. Sounds like we are totally immoral. But we are not. What the muslims don't like are things like women's liberation, that is what they call decadence. The 50's was before civil rights legislation. Later many civil rights laws were passed. I am sure they don't like those either. What about Israel, passing more discriminatory laws against arabs. That is the worst news I ever heard. Muslim countries too, not improving human rights for women, etc. Looks hopeless for eastern countries who are far from civilization, which means human rights for people. Universal rights, by the way, not "Jewish" values.

THAT is what Petraeus said and Issacharoff, Harel and the whole swarm of Bibi mitlaufer can't change that. The bedrock of Likud support on teh American right thus begins to erode.

So you agreeing to the whole world that Islam is not peacefull religion but violent

Let's ignore the facts. In the Quran it is written that it is ok to kill Israeli's and infidels. FDR gave countries the USA was not in control of to Stalin. The USA has used weapons of mass destruction under both Democratic and Republican presidents. Many Mideast leaders have called for the elimination of Israel. Arabs and women are allowed to vote in Israel. Israeli's don't blow up large crowds with suicide bombers on a daily basis. The author points out there are issues on both sides and there will continue to be. Islam does not want countries like the USA, Canada, Norway or Israel. That is why they are trying to change them.

General is correct when he says conflict is fuelling anti American sentiments. The party formed by Moududi, Jaamat e islami, is not an extrimist organization which exists in Pakistan,Idia and Bangladesh.

Yes, but, Al Qaida has no long range bombers and no battleships. Al Qaida is impotent. It must rely on terrorism to punish it's enemies and it relies on Israeli provocations as it's recruiting agent. Syria is legitimately aggrieved, Israel has taken a choice chunk of it's real estate.

Iran and all the Islamic extremists hate Israel MUCH more than the U.S. Our alliance with Israel only helps Israel and has no benefit whatsoever for the U.S. That's why we should cut the cord.

Why is making Israel observe international law "Anti-Israel"?

WOW, every (!) American administration since 1967 has publicly opposed Israeli Settlements and Occupation across the 1967 Green line, frequently even the 1948 borders unilaterally declared by Israel. The entire World agrees. The Obama administration including General Petraeus and a large, growing number of Pro-Israel organizations and Americans including many Jews such as the top two Obama advisors, Rahm & Axelrod, strongly believe that these continuing Israeli behaviors are bad for both the USA and Israel. Game Over!!! Be a real Jew, eh?

History repeat itself when ignorant, dishonest, and coward politicians tale a power to lead the world, this time to nuclear world war.

When asked foreigners captured whilst fighting for the taliban always to a man cite that they were radicalised because of Israel's occupation of Palestine. The solving of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will end this radicalisation process and deprive Al Qaeda of recruits. That is why there will be a two state solution.

...Those who have studied the Mid -East understands General Petraeus words are true. It hurts US's security two ways: -- The soildier fighting in the field, and -- Diplomatic or war planning with other Governments One good example, the US needs a better relations with Syria and its been slow in coming around due to the Israel relationship. America's "mideast woes don't begina nd end with Israel;" it only BEGINS with Israel.

Isnt there any Israeli pundit left who is able to argue honestly, without using hasbara spin of glittering generalities and namecalling? Petraeus didnt say that Israel is the root of everyproblem in the ME. He notes that the US policies of favouritism actively damage US interests. ANd, one may infer, he is worried about a Israeli strike against Iran, and how that would affect his troops. Is your propaganda machine so blind it doesnt see that this is rational?

U.S. Favoritism towards Israel is not a perception, it is a reality. Israel is a tool for Al Qaida and one of their strongest selling points for joining. I read your articles concerning the United States and Israeli percieved general security threats in the Middle East and by the time I'm done reading, I only have one question. Who or What are you smoking? These articles give me the munchies....

Pireaus also said , that the USA - Israel alliance could cost American lives. The contrary is true, USA-Israel military cooperation would frighten Arab extremists and would reduce terrorist attacks on US soldiers.not to mention Iranian threats.But anybody understands that the USA cannot fight against the Arab world and Arab global terrorism, all on its own. The USA better invite the IDF to assist them. rrather then fighting ISrael as if the Jews are the terrorists, as portrayed in MUslim propaganda.

Lying by inference. He never said it would END all problems. Does anyone doubt it would LESSEN hostility? Also, with the way we have slanted our policy in favor of Israel, why would anyone in Ramallah hang out an US flag?