Middle East, what next

Anyone watching the recent crisis in the Middle East from a neutral point of view, cannot help but wonder why. In what seems to be a never ending circle of violence and acts of war, neighboring nations are becoming worse enemies in the year 2006.

Has the world given up on the Middle East, or have they opted out from ever reaching a peaceful solution? It is very hard to say. Considering the history and controversial points of view on it - there are very few lessons for the parties involved to learn. If one denies the mistakes or faults in their past, there is no way to prevent repeating it. And as always, everyone claims the "right" side, is their side.

Israel and Lebanon are currently engaged in what for the first time in their long history of conflicts has been officially declared by both nations as "Acts of War". And we all know what war is. We've watched it on TV, some have been through it, and others have heard the horror stories their parents and grandparents have told them. It is about houses burned and blown to pieces, together with the people in them. War is about families separating, children taken from their parents, hospitals running out of beds for the gravely injured.

Most European and other nations have already instructed their embassies and consulates in Lebanon to stand-by, for a quick evacuation of their nationals. Some have already began evacuating, either via coordination by their diplomatic missions, or as people who risked making a run for it on their own.

Meanwhile the people of Lebanon are left to watch as the universe around them explodes. As are the people in several places in Israel, such as Haifa. I cannot imagine the terror of constant air-strikes, sirens, explosions and the sound of airplanes flying over one's home. What prompted Israel to bomb Lebanon, all the way to capital Beirut and near Tripoli in the north, is attacks in Israel by Hezbollah. Although Hezbollah is not the government of Lebanon, they are a political party with a military wing, which started out as a revolutionary army and today is considered by some as a terrorist organization.

Although the official government of Lebanon does not condone the hostilities initiated by the Hezbollah, they don't act to stop the Hezbollah and I doubt if they even want to. Considering it would be their best defense if there eventually is a war, judging by the inadequacy of the official Lebanese army to protect their southern border and prevent the entire situation.

A seize fire is unlikely, as both sides remain reluctant to put down arms first. And if someone doesn't agree to do that, things will only escalate until it does become a full scale war.

International reactions have ranged from lukewarm condemnations of violence in general (see European Union) to nations (see the United States and Iran) being strongly supportive of one side and judgmental of the other.

And since there may be yet another war at hand, I let you read the facts on independent third party websites, and make up your own mind concerning this. While at the same time, keeping my fingers crossed someone will wave a magic wand and make all weapons disappear. What is your point of view?

News Blogs

Guardian Unlimited - newsblog: Inside Lebanon (Excellent discussion in the comments of this post.)

Recent News Stories

BBC NEWS - Israeli raids reach north Lebanon

BBC NEWS - Israel strikes at Gaza ministry

The Time Line

BBC NEWS - Day-by-day: Lebanon crisis

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2006 Israel-Lebanon crisis Israel Lebanon

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