U.S. warns Syria: Stop arming Hezbollah immediately

How is Israel so wrongly over-focused?? I've never seen such blatant hostility to one of the U.S.'s truest and most worthwhile allies. Muslim aggression to the U.s. and the West as a whole is NOT because of the support and aid they give Israel. Those of you who haven't figured this out yet are way behind on information and only jamming up the process of combating the many perils the Islamic-world is bringing about in the rest of the world (as well as within itself). Read Hezbollah's charter, you nincompoops. The U.S. is a good country, helping Israel is the right thing to do as well as the most strategically important. Thanks, Peace. check out ArabsforIsrael.com

Ever wonder why the US sends more weapons to Saudi Arabia than Israel. Could it be because of the vast deposits of oil we need so desperately? Interesting to note many terroist come from and are trained in Saudi Arabia. How about Osama Bin Laden. Where was he born? Israel has a right to defend herself.

But Iran has a new generations to die and loose limbs like the one they had during 1980's with Saddam. Iran lost 2,000,000 on Saddam's hands and several hundred thousands lived handcaped. The Mullas don't give a SHIT about their soldiers as long as they leave their wives behind for them. Their society can absorb any number of widows and get them marry again. Iran lately opened amuzement places for the public. They sign a contract with a woman to marry her for an hour only.

America missed a wonderful opportunity for a quid pro quo. Syria would stop arming Hezbollah and Hamas; Israel would be FORCED to withdraw from stolen lands. I recollect that those two militias came into being after, and because of, Israeli's occupation of Arab territory. It is therefore obscene for Israel's chief sponsor to be making demands of Syria while waiting patiently for whatever Israel wants to offer to a peace process. What a feckless and unfair superpower!

And more than that Brant.We won it by blood sweat and TEARS. Before we won it,there were constant ROCKET attacks on our civilian population that had to rush for the shelters,as they now do in Sderot.Thanks to the vigilance in winning it back from the jaws of the terrorists things are relatively peacefeful. The panoramic view we have is essential for the security of all the northern prt of Israel. Golan will never be relinquished EVER and we will NOT. Thank for your post(that I responded and Haaretz did not see fit to publish it)Shame on them.

Relinquishing the Golan that Israel won by blood,sweat and TEARS will never be returned to the cruel enemy like Assad. Golan is a very strategicand panoramic view,whereby Israel can detect any incursion of any terrorists from above the place. Your words of wisdom well not be accepted by the all ISRAELI BASHERS who visit here. When I used to visit THE KFAR BUM kibbutz the people constantly had to dash to SHELTERS as they now do in Shderot. Now it is thank G*D it is virtually SAFE. This also applied to the residents of: KIRIYAT SHMONE. Thanks for your post.

I Queen Esther also known as Hadassah Wish all my People A HAPPY PURIM. I beat Haman and his TEN My King Xerxes/Ahasuerus Loved me and Saved my people. Now is time to REJOICE.

Mark Lincoln, Obviously you have no idea of what you speak of in the big picture of the Middle Easy affairs. When president Assad of Syria using his cunning and tactful ways deceives many nations with the evil things whispered in his ear by the opposer, many will die; probably hundreds of thousands to millions. Obviously he wants the Golan Heights for the water rights and one only has to look at what else is there. The large mounds where the Giants are buried. The Rephaim, the mixed seed, of the sons of god with the daughters of men from the fallen ones. They shall return to earth and the head opposer is the one who directs the ways of president Assad, whose name used to be Wahash. Look that up and you will figure it out. May our Heavenly Father forgive you for condemning Israel, he did promise curses for condemning them.

It's easy to bring peace to the area, the U.S. just has to give 2 or 3 refueling air planes to Israel and watch how fast there is peace in the region. Never Again

Even when you live in Canada,still persist in your mindset of annihilating the West? Your words seems to come from the mouth of a jihadist.Have you not caused enough death and destruction already? And what is this that you say:We believe that time and G-D are on our side, and you are in the wrong. Shouldn't you call him Allah? I mean naming it as G-D? Eventually, you will be beaten, and we will rise up from the ruins, like we`ve done in every generation, to take back what is ours." And please tell us...What is supposed to be yours? And what is this that will never change?

If you can read this your eyes will open. You will think of "me" Hadassah. I am now called Esther QUEEN of Xerxes the King.Also called Ahasuerus. Blessed be my nation of Jerusalem. Amen

For I Hadassah with my uncle we survived Haman and set my nation Free. My Persian name is now:Esther Happy Purim to all.

Golan shouldnt even be in a disucssion ! What kind of world do we live in where the hypocrates in every nation have won land and added it to the own nations ! History is replete with current nations being the product of past wars, where the victor wins the land ! Period ! Last I heard, Israel took the Heights from a Syrian nation that, with big guns, mercesslessy attacked Israel from that strategic vantage point. But as soon as Israel won the territory, these CRYBABIES want their defeated land back ! Crazy !

Give up the Golan Heights? Are you insane? Israel captured it as a direct byproduct of Syria's invasion against Israel. The Golan Heights is literally the high ground on the march toward the Sea of Galilee in the northern territories. Syria is no more peaceful and no more desires peace now than they did before. Israel would be insane to even consider such a proposal. Why don't we just ask Israel to give all their weapons to Syria, along with the bullets, and the high ground, and expect Syria to simply be benevolant, eh? A bit insane? Uh, Yeah...stupid in fact. The Axis of Evil nations and aggressors against Israel is in full swing. Don't make such stupid statements. They don't wish for peace with Israel....they simply want Israel to be dead and gone.

Why did Israel need to go into Lebanon? Because 18,000 PLO terrorists were using it as a base to attack Israel from the north. So please save your false indignation. BTW if you had stayed out of the 67 war you would still have the Golan, right? Stop complaining you lost the war, there are consequences. As there should be!

Hi Cipora, Wishing you a very Happy Purim, And also to original Kathy. Is she wearing a mask ?

by Syria in which they declared their intention of destroying Israel. Instead they got their asses kicked badly, lost their Air Force and most of their tanks and ran like scalded dogs back to Syria with their tails between their legs, where they continued to lick their wounds and do so to this day. The Golan is reparations in part of their war crimes and the many deaths the Syrians caused. Syria better get serious. They are NOT getting the Golan back, EVER ! Better to lay utter waste the entire country than to give them one inch !

I appreciate that you were impressed by Ma'alot. I am impressed by CAST LEAD too. Yet, look what came before Cast Lead; OK? Are you with me? There we go: Suicide bombing attacks 2001 - 2006: 2001 - 34 attacks - 85 deaths 2002 - 55 attacks - 220 deaths 2003 - 25 attacks - 142 deaths 2004 - 14 attacks - 55 deaths 2005 - 7 attacks - 22 deaths 2006 - 4 attacks - 15 deaths Total - 139 attacks - 539 deaths What do you think about Cast Lead following all that, not to mention 8000 rockets into Israel, was it not a good reason to react ? Yeah, it was too strong... The famously bragging Hamas disappeared behind their women...

I hope that one day we will see the following heading:" The WORLD to US: stop arming Israel"

and the snake will die. It seems that Syria is determined to go to war with Israel and it will cost them dearly. Why wait for them to strike. Take them by surprise before they have a chance to implement their war plans as they did in '67. Preemption is the key to victory.

I am afraid when this man is satisfied with the end matching his sense of "loss of war" one of the opponents will no longer be on the map. Well... as I noted lately, not everything in this world is built for customer satisfaction of this mister.

very true. are there any in the administration who understand the middle east? i fear not. i seriously fear they do not understand mockery either.

U.S.A. Warning. If you don't carry out your warnings with a substantial clout. You will be perceived as a weakling. Remember: This is the Middle East. One of their weapons,is mockery. The Indians used it with great success.

I appreciate that you were impressed by Ma'alot. I am impressed by CAST LEAD too. Yet, look what came before Cast Lead; OK? Are you with me? There we go: Suicide bombing attacks 2001 - 2006: 2001 - 34 attacks - 85 deaths 2002 - 55 attacks - 220 deaths 2003 - 25 attacks - 142 deaths 2004 - 14 attacks - 55 deaths 2005 - 7 attacks - 22 deaths 2006 - 4 attacks - 15 deaths Total - 139 attacks - 539 deaths What do you think about Cast Lead following all that, not to mention 8000 rockets into Israel, was it not a good reason to react strongly?

put israel in check and then no need for weapons it invaded leabnon how many times now and still occupies golan and west bank

I agree with you that the U.S. is no longer relevant, but aren't there other ways or options?

u.s is no longer relevant they only condemn arab countries and are anti-arab anyways israel does what it wants so will the arabs

Obama can't tell Israel what to do as we continue to breast feed them, but he is barking orders at Syria who needs nothing from us.

Now who on earth would want to shake hands with a HYDRA,or A SCORPION? My original post to you not out. But nevermind,do you put your trust on Assad al Wahsh the killer/murderer of the Lebanese and the other 40.000 killings at Hama.

While fully concurring with #3 Mark Lincoln, I must point out to him and others that Syria has never lost a war to Israel. Despite the loss by the Syrian army of its campaigns (which Israel deliberately chooses to elevate to the rank of wars), the only war between the two belligerents, begun in 1948, has not yet ended, while hostilities have been interrupted by ceasefires. Please distinguish between wars and campaigns or operations - the latter are conducted by armed forces, the former by states, and the loss of campaigns may not bring about the loss of a war. Let us wait till the war between Israel and Syria is brought to its definitive end.

Israel occupied Lebanon in 1982. Hezbollah was formed in response to the occupation. So Israel directly created Hezbollah. Iran-Syria-Lebanon have a mutual defence interest in banding together to fight Israeli aggression. I am impressed by your mention of Ma'alot, which was an atrocity, but also impressed of your lack of concern for Israeli atrocities (white phosphorous, cast lead, Sabra and Shatilla massacre (for which the Kahan commission blamed Arik Sharon, Jenin, Gaza etc).

Syria should not worry Obama has no backbone More empty words from his FAILED administration.

Israel has chosen an existence justified by military might. It is therefore understandable that Israel would attempt to thwart their enemy neighbors attempt to arm themselves. But in that understanding, there is no sympathy, for surely those who have repeatedly fallen victim to Israel's military might are justified in arming themselves against the juggernaut of Zionist militarism.

... clearly is itching for a war. Since Naz is de facto now the head of the Lebanese government, when the smoke clears, it will have been his and Leb's war.

By arming Hizbollah they achieve this. Lebanon achieves it too.Israel wants its neighbours utterly defenseless? Of course they do, but they can't always have everything so easy. Those who blather on about Lebanese rights should rack their tiny heads and remember that when Israel rained terror on Lebanon, its children and its infrastructure, Lebanon rallied to Hizbollah. Even the Christian and Sunni Lebanese. So before talking about Lebanese interests, they can reflect that Lebanon decides its interests and if they do not coincide with Israel's that's probably for the greater good but certainly for the good of Lebanon. After all those who can still remember Sharon will know that the formation of a fascist [phalange] dictatorship was what Israel wanted for Lebanon not so long ago. As for the US whining on about Hizbollah[in response to Israeli behests] it's worth reading this current editorial in Lebanon's media outlet 'The Daily Star'[no friend of Hizbollah]: "the region's leaders, and most importantly their people, will resentfully turn their back on US policy for as long as it only shows half hearted commitments to security and human rights in the region. That is, blind support for Israeli aggression will only push regional powers together, and as long as Iran and Syria share a common threat, the US can forget about driving them apart ". http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&article_id=112171&categ_id=17

By arming Hizbollah they achieve this. Israel wants its neighbours utterly defenseless? Of course they do, but they can't always have everything so easy. Those who blather on about Lebanese rights should rack their tiny heads and remember that when Israel rained terror on Lebanon, its children and its infrastructure Lebanon rallied to Hizbollah. Even the Christian and Sunni Lebanese. So before talking about Lebanese interests, they can reflect that Lebanon decides its interests and if they do not coincide with Israel's that's probably for the greater good but certainly for the good of Lebanon. After all those who can still remember Sharon will know that the formation of a fascist [phalange] dictatorship was what Israel wanted for Lebanon not so long ago. As for the US whining on about Hizbollah[in response to Israeli behests] it's worth reading this current editorial in Lebanon's media outlet 'The Daily Star'[no friend of Hizbollah]: "the region's leaders, and most importantly their people, will resentfully turn their back on US policy for as long as it only shows half hearted commitments to security and human rights in the region. That is, blind support for Israeli aggression will only push regional powers together, and as long as Iran and Syria share a common threat, the US can forget about driving them apart ". http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&article_id=112171&categ_id=17

and only the delusional would accept or even think that the war that saw Israel win temporary possession of the Golan has ended. Israel and Syria are still technically at war.

America is telling Syria that they should stop before the rabid dog attacks you. There is a war coming in the region...that is the only way Israel can avoid the peace process..Obama is a toothless dog at this point...

with Israel. Only the delusional would insist that Syria wants peace with Israel.

What took so long?

Barak statement about Hezbollah being a bizarre 'anomaly' in Lebanese state affairs... is absolutely true. The 'Party of God' uses Lebanon as it's own inclination of a glorious rule.... to impose a Caliphate of some sort. Where the only outcome can be victory or death... and history alone will judge them in the after-life. And who needs an oracle from God to recognize that. A recent Lebanese article went by the headline... 'Iran's war is not our war'. This was only days ago and as a response to war-like language from Nasrallah. http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=147634

Israeli and American weapons "heavy weapons" have been killing and maiming a largely unarmed people - Palestinians, Tamil Tigers, Afghans and Iraqis. Israel (according to Mr Olmert) is nuclear a state. America has left a dirty big nuclear footprint from one end of the earth to the other.

the others will eventually recognise this sstae of affairs too !

Defense Minister Ehud Barak admits that Israel is not the USA, but that didn't prevent him, not even for a second, from threatening to destroy Lebanon once again! Words like his are taken as a great challenge to the eastern, esp Muslim, mind, and it so sad that Israelis will never understand. It goes something like this, from Turkey thru to India, to the Far East: "Westerner: your machines can kill 10 or 20 of us for every one of you that we kill, but that's a victory for us, because you cower before the prospect of death, whereas we crave martyrdom for our people! If even one of our sons remains alive, and there will be many, many, more of our sons living than yours, we will live to fight another day, another year, or another 100 years. We believe that time and G-D are on our side, and you are in the wrong. Eventually, you will be beaten, and we will rise up from the ruins, like we've done in every generation, to take back what is ours." And this will never change.

If Hezbollah was the choice of the majority of Lebanese, they would have won the 2009 elections. They didn't. And as for infrastructure being 'fair game', the fourth Geneva Convention not only specifically state that warring parties have an obligation to protect civilians but also states that all infrastructure essential to survival must be spared. Where you are correct is regarding the 'track record' - Israel's willful disregard of these basic rules of war has been recorded time and time again, so no, if the IDF does bomb Lebanon's infrastructure in any coming war, it won't be a surprise.

to stop giving the Lebanese the weapons that it needs to defend itself against constant Israeli aggression against Lebanon. Syria says thet don't arm the Lebanese. That should be the end of the matter. Think Israel denies using soveriegn countries passports to commit murder, and expects us to believe them. It works both ways, now where is that shipment of the S-300 to the Siniora government?

This issue is very issue. Syria stops arming Hezbullah, the US stops arming Israel.

why have most of the IDF been moved to attack positions along the northern border? I have been told that there are convoys of tanks on transporters heading north 24/7

Can't have that best start spinning against it so that AIPAC can go to work in the Senate. Wonder how much in 'donations' it will take to make sure the States doesn't renew ties.

"America does this because Israel demands it" (America does not and will not sell Lebanon the weapons necessary to defend it against Israel) Well there it is from the Horse's mouth. Israel, and the Jews of course are more powerful than the USA that they command and the doggy must obey. I think not. The USA supports Israel because it's in their interest to support Israel. You think you have troops stationed in 150 Countries (75% of the World ) because America believes in Freedom and Democracy? Give us a break Mark.

Don't be surprised, there are Israel-bashers all over the world. They are either naive or disingenuous, deliberately ignoring the facts on the ground, and are committed to their distortions of history and reality. It is a network of (single) persons and associations, all with the same aim: delegitimize Israel through biased statements based on ideology and preconception, not on truth and fair judgement. Their war horse is to claim unilateral steps and concessions from Israel towards her foes, suggesting that's only Israel's fault if there is no peace and justice yet in ME. For this purpose, they pretend to appeal to the "international laws", tailor-made on Israel, ignoring that the law applies also to the other side. Actually, they absolve both Palestinians and Arab/Muslim states and organisations from all past and present sins and grant them cart blanche in their progandistic and military/terror activities, pretending the latter to be pure "self-defense" agaist the Israel. The usual trite terminology, which I prefer not to mention, says it all about their position. We can only imagine what kind of "peace" and "justice" they have in mind.

and if he thinks it does not matter... he will find an answer when the question he says does not exist will be put into Israel side like a javelin. Stupid little mistakes. How many armies did trip over ones committed by their top man? May be he thinks Cast Lead was his genius... we just got lucky, more then very lucky, enormously lucky. And instead of jumping on the horse and making life out of lucky break he goes out to parade in front of nothing with his even bigger nothing.

Im a Syrian and cannot wait for that day when Israel and Syria shake hands, in Damascus, or Telaviv. As I always believed, shaking hands with Syria is defintley like shaking hands with a dozen arab countries. It will make miracles to Israel and to Syira.

THEY SHOULD NOT. Peace with Syria has a price return the Golan. But the US has a problem. Jewsih lobbyists, strong enough to steer US foreign policy to the extent that we fought the Iraq battle on their behalf. So the US has a credibility problem. It is impotent and bankrupt poliically. Israel, and it's US surrogate, I mean it, cannot afford any nation or entity at it's border that can make i loose sleep. The Jews are know for not forgetting or letting any one forget, even the self hating jews. So what gives? We need to liberate the US foreign policy from the clasp of the dual nationals with a yen for Israel and free the US politician from the fear of Jewish voters. Israel has 25000 Us dual citizens , aka Florida, that turn elections upside down. Bottom line the Arab world should welcome even the devil, Iran, to strike a semblance of balance with a rogue nation bent on expanding it's hegemony over the whole world starting with the Arabs and their immediate surroundings.

the islamist terrorists use the internet extensively to plan their attacks and to advance their jihadi ideologies.

I find it rather absurd for the USA to try to dictate to minor arms dealing countries to stop doing what it does greater than others by a huge margin. Hezbollah did not even exist prior to the US fully supporting the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, yet the US has the unmitigated gall to point fingers at others..... Simply amazing! The US through its history has installed/supported more dictators and/or sold or provided weapons to more developing countries than any nation on the planet, and it has the nerve to point fingers at those who fight only to defend themselves from the selfish US foreign policy? If the US would simply stand up to its founding principals and stop supporting criminal regimes, it might regain the respect in the world that that it once enjoyed, but under the past administrations it has only brought itself shame and economic despair. Americans need to get educated and wake up from their stupor.

Confeinstein says, "He / she who diligently spends time typing away on his /her computer keyboard, has no spare time to create chaos somewhere else." :-D

I really don't think the Syrians are afraid of Barry. The Iranians aren't afraid of him. Barry talks loudly and carries no stick.

they have their theoreticians, no less. shavua tov.

Funny, USA Gov just bark loud and doesn't do anything, we all saw the meeting of Najad, Bachar and Nasrallah on TV, it was kinda like saying to Clinton: shhhhhhh stop barking

This is organised... must be...

Imagine that tomorrow Israel withdrew from the Golan. Do you really think that would bring peace? They need to negotiate this and Israel and Israelis are ready to make hard decisions to bring peace, including giving up the Golan. But they cannot just give it back to a group of mafia-like thugs run by a brutal dictator. Maybe someday there will be a government in Syria that can and will offer a viable peace with Israel but that may be a long way off.

your evil match in Iran. Everyone needs a little and opposite evil to keep them in line. I am glad you got yours Hitsrael.

America stops arming Israel.

"Lebanon is a nation which ONLY Hisbollah has defended against Israel in the last 30 years." (MarkL) I watched the situation since 1960 from New York, and then later, from Israel until now. Always, but ALWAYS, Israel was attacked FROM (of course, not by) Lebanon. First by the PLO and later by Hezbollah. Some of those attacks were horrible events, like the Ma'alot massacre of lots of Israeli children. Then came the Hezbollah continuous rocketing of North Israel. As usual, Israel absorbed for years such aggression until it was fed up and attacked Lebanon in the 3 wars. Same as with the latest war with Hamas. Therefore, to call Hezbollah a "defender" of Lebanon, instead of an aggressor, is a hateful insult! And you are the insulter! I have lived those times, particularly in the last couple of tens of years, on the terrain, in Israel, at times North Israel, during their attacks, not like Mr Mark L from Houston. Shameless...

ocupied the golan or there were no settlements etc etc . this applies to several braindead posts in this talkback.

"By supporting Hisbollah Syria defends its right flank against Israel." Syria has no right to treat Lebanon as one of its provinces. Hezbollah is an Iranian-Syrian proxy. Hezbollah has set up an autonomous teror state within Lebanon. Neither Iran-Syria nor Hezbollah act in the interest of the people of Lebanon.

"Assad denied all claims that his regime was providing military aid to terrorists in Iraq, or to Hezbollah and Palestinian terror groups." Assad is a very dangerous man. Only a very dangerous man would openly and brazenly insult the U.S. His denials are ridiculous given the intelligence capabilities of the U.S. and of its allies. The Obama administration had given all opportunityt to Assad to engage honestly and productively with the U.S. Assad has responded with arrogance and outright flippancy.

This warning has come as an urgent call on the part of most of the rest of the world for the US to seriously assist in the defusing of tension in the Middle East. The threat of Israel's nuclear arsenal has destabilised the region for thirty years encouraging others to seek such an arsenal. Furthermore the US has been asked to use the same language with Israel that it uses with Iran, Hamas, Hesbollah in order to create the recognition that it is as it claims an honest broker in the region.

Histpry lession: they attacked us. they launched rockets from the golan into haifa. they LOST they war and the golan. why would we give these terrorists back the golan when WE all know they will" 1. cut off the water to the Kinnerit (Gallilee) 2. Attack our cities AGAIN Get off you soapbox and stay out of our affairs. clearly you know nothing

"We cannot accept this, we do not intend to chase down every individual terrorist, but we will consider the government of Lebanon, the country's infrastructure, as part of the equation with which we are confronted." - Barak Here we go again, new threats from terrorist barak, he always point at the infra structure! perhaps to cover his impotence to fight hisballa! By the way, I agree that Syria should stop arming hisballa, and the US should stop arming Israel.

Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran are talking about hitting israeli cities. Syria foreign minister threatened to hit israeli cities. Nasrallah threatened to hit ben gurion airport. Meshaal threatened to hit israeli cities. Lebanese mp praised iran for training hamas and giving them rockets to hit israeli cities. And guess who is meeting? Iran president, syrian president, nasrallah, hamas, islamic jihad all meeting in damascus. And yet Obama administration is looking forward to good relations with assad jr and think they can break up syria from iran. Obama has james brennan as national security adviser who praised hezbollah for being doctors and chuck hagel has praised hezbollah in the past will be obama's sec of defense after gates retires next year. Obama administration is also giving lebanon drones and fighter helicopters. They do this knowing that whatever the army gets hezbollah gets in lebanon.

Assad jr is no assadr sr. Assad sr kept his distance from hezbollah and iran. Assad jr was never supposed to take over but his older brother died in a car accident. When assad sr died Assad jr in 2001 started moving long range rockets to hezbollah because he said sharon was elected. He also allowed iran to bring in massive amount of weapons through syria to iran. Assad Jr grew up mentoring hezbollah. Assad Jr in 2006 bragged about building up hezbollah's bunkers and giving hezbollah long range rockets. This was right after the israel lebanon war. Syria state paper also praise islamic jihad and hamas suicide bombings. Assad hosts these groups. Assad Jr opened up nuclear shipments from north korea to syria to iran. Assad Sr would have never done this. Obama administration doesn't understand that you can't break up syria from iran when assad jr is in charge. Obama has given syria plane parts, communication systems, offered syria WTO membership. Syria senses weakness

If lebanese president defends hezbollah and they are legitimate part of lebanese government elected by lebanese people and they have defended lebanon against invaders ,why can't u.s accept this fact and honor the whishes of lebanese people

Just another empty and useless threat from and impotent Country which will be ignored with contempt.

Similar to freeze all settlement expansion. Will be as effective too.

Both, the warning and the denials are a joke

The U.S. administration should stop arming Israel!

Lebanon is the ONLY Arab nation which was attacked by Israel BEFORE it invaded Israel. It has been for many decades the favorite target for Israel BECAUSE it was no threat to Israel. Israel has not attacked Egypt or Syria for over 40 years, but whenever it feels like kicking the shit out of someone, it attacks Lebanon. During the Second Lebanon War all of the damaged done to Israel was done by Hizbollah, but the overwhelming damage done by Israel was committed against Lebanon and not Hisbollah. Israel cannot comprehend why at the end of that war Hisbollah was no longer an outcast, but part of Lebanon. Israel chose to punish Lebanon, while Hizbollah defended it. Got it? With enemies like Israel, Lebanon needs friends like Hisbollah. Israel is it's own worst enemy because it would rather punish the weak than fight it's enemies. Just like Cast Lead.

Ignore any demands America makes. What will they do about it, start a war? Israels response to Americas demand to halt settlement expansion shows just how to play it.

Syria to US, stop depending upon Canada to protect your northern borders and Mexico to defend your southern borders. This issue shows the total domination of US policy in the mid-east by Israel. America refuses to supply Lebanon with what is necessary to control it's borders and defend itself because Israel demands we do not aid Lebanon. Syria supplies Hizbollah because Lebanon is kept too weak to defend itself by the USA and Israel. And we blame Syria for trying to secure it's long Western flank against an Israeli attack by helping the ONLY force in Lebanon capable of defending that nation. Syria is not nuts. Israel is not nuts, the United States is stark raving mad. The United States of America wants Lebanon kept defenseless because Israel wants one nation in the region which it can punish without fear of response or difficulty. America holds Lebanon hostage so Israel can have a punching bag. And we are upset because Syria would have SOME force capable of defending :Lebanon?

Before ANY nation has the right to tell ANY other nation what to do it has to first consider the situation of that other nation. For the big frog in the little pond, like America or Russia, this can be a hard idea to grasp. But for the little nation in a small pond, dominated by a nuclear power like Syria, it can be another concept entirely. Israel once invaded Lebanon at the order of only it's Defense Minister, Ariel Sharon and against the wishes of it's Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Sharon survived his coup and Begin was brought down. So much for Israeli 'democracy.' And how did this appear to the Lebanese and Syrians? Large parts of Lebanon were occupied by Israel and Christian militias unleashed to murder Muslims. Syria was out-flanked. Only Hisbollah was able to force Israel out of Lebanon. . . ONLY Hisbollah was able to defend Lebanon and Syria's right flank during the Second Lebanon War. Understand WHY others view Hisbollah different?

I am becoming so confused with all of this goofy rhetoric!! Asking Syria to stop arming Hezbollah!! Yeah, sure, we all know that's going to have some bite!! You don't ask Syria, Iran, Hezbollah or Hamas anything!!!!!....EVER!!!! You MAKE them stop!!! Once and for alllllll!!! Am I missing something here? regards....Gregg Bowman

..The "dancing around " between Assad and Ahmadinejad is similar to 3rd-world countries "jockeying" for attention and other benefits from the powerful countries. Having the meeting with the Iranian, Ahmadinejad, Assad is snubbing Israel. He will continue this behavior and it's understandable because the Isrelis' control Syrian land--THE GOLAN. Comprehensive peace should still be pursued in spite of this recent meeting.

of Lebanese, (and the choice of the majority of the Christian Lebanese) make you hesitate in your demonisation of them. As for threatening to consider the Lebanese infrastructure fair game the next time the IDF bombs Lebanon, given the track record, everyone knew that it was on the target list anyway.

And unlike Syria it has not repeatedly lost wars against Israel. Lebanon is a nation which the USA has chosen to make inferior and refused to give the arms necessary to defend itself. Lebanon is a nation which has been the favorite punching bag of Israel for decades. Lebanon is a nation which ONLY Hisbollah has defended against Israel in the last 30 years. By supporting Hisbollah Syria defends it's right flank against Israel. If the USA wants Syria to stop defending it's right flank by the ONLY means necessary, then the USA should support Lebanon. America does not and will not sell Lebanon the weapons necessary to defend it against Israel. America does this because Israel demands it. So we shall see Lebanon purchase weapons from Russia and Lebanon and allow Hisbollah to get what it needs from Syria. Why not? Israel chose to punish all of Lebanon in 2006 instead of taking on Hizbollah. Israel threatens ALL of Lebanon regularly. Why should Lebanon NOT defend itself as it may?

Then there wont be such a need

Yes Ehud everyone knows what peace would look like on all fronts Israeli withdrawal why wont you?