Israel has conducted airstrike in Syria: U.S. official

[MH]

Someone , somwhere is getting wealthy from about just anything.

[eddie]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

You are most probably right but the question is who?

The Military Industrial Complex and morticians. Graveyards do excellant business too!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by eddie

The Military Industrial Complex and morticians. Graveyards do excellant business too!

Well it certainly isn't the JobCentre (UK governmental department for the unemployed).

[emmis]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

You are most probably right but the question is who?

Ask Werner Sombart.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

No way should we aid the rebels. Did anyone happen to see the video of them executing Assad Loyalists?

The one where the one rebel assures his passage to Sto-vo-kor by cutting out and eating the heart of an loyalist fighter?

Yea wonderful people yearning for freedom.

[Agiel7]

Now with the new ASM and SAM systems being shipped to Syria, is there any doubt any more that on the off chance Assad comes out of this only a little bit worse for wear after the war is over that Syria will be utterly and completely in Russia's pocket? Here's hoping that that would mean Iran and Hezbollah would be bumped out of Syria's top spot for patronage.

[Skybird]

In case of Assad "winning", that doubt never existed, regarding Russia. And since it is politics and politics today know no scruples or moral standards, it could very well be that North Korea, Iran and Hezbollah sooner or later play the same role again like before.

However, I see a "Lebanonization" as the more likely outcome, with Assad-hostile factions of any kind winning over the next couple of years. Whether their rule is undisputed and free from ongoing conflict, is something different.

For Israel - they probably prefer to stay with Assad - he is the known and probably the lesser demon than a new fundamentalist regime to them.

[MH]

For Israel - they probably prefer to stay with Assad - he is the known and probably the lesser demon than a new fundamentalist regime to them.

Since the possibility of anything good coming out from this civil war is very dim then probably yes , that's true.
Although it is interesting to see how Hezbollah and Iran lose face and influence in this conflict.
It is not a good news for them as well.

It difficult to take sides in this mess.
Sadly that is ME in it finest form.

[Skybird]

Hezbollah is stronger in support than ever, and has been armed up stronger than before, in 2006. Iran is the most dominant foreign player in Syria and Lebanon. In Lebanon, nothing goes and moves without them or against their will.

Hezbollah is Iran, in a way. Internal political issues like not paying their public employees or financial shortages, does not really mean serious effect in this situational melange.

[emmis]

I am absolutely appalled at the continued unfounded demonizing of Iran. It has always been part of the western methodology of conquering. The nation being targeted must first be demonized, divided, then conquered. These tactics were used against the indigenous people of America, and in this post modern world against Cuba, the Palestinians, the Soviet Union, the Federation of Russia, China, North Korea, Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and now against Iran.

[MH]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Hezbollah is stronger in support than ever, and has been armed up stronger than before, in 2006. Iran is the most dominant foreign player in Syria and Lebanon. In Lebanon, nothing goes and moves without them or against their will.

Hezbollah is Iran, in a way. Internal political issues like not paying their public employees or financial shortages, does not really mean serious effect in this situational melange.

Hezbollah is strong and has vast military support from Iran but its credibility is not what is used to be.
With Assad gone there will be a time for accounting , they are not very popular with the Sunni guys right now...actually never had been but this civil war puts it on whole new level.

[Skybird]

Credibility? And I thought it was about power. For their credibility we can can do nothing to them. Not in good, not in bad. Nor can Israel.

@emmis,

nobody here demonises Iran, becasue we do not need to. We only need to take it for what it is. Iran does a pretty good job in demonising itself all by itself - as one of the most stone-aged, barbarian places on Earth nowadays. What there has been a millenium ago, and could have been "if only", does mean nothing nanymore. What it is today is what means troubles, gives us headaches and casts doom and fall, pain and suffering, hate and racism over others.

[MH]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Credibility? And I thought it was about power. For their credibility we can can do nothing to them. Not in good, not in bad. Nor can Israel.

.

Yes it is about power but also the marketing issue has some value as well. For example the struggle with " the zionist entity" -Israel and image defenders of Lebanon is sort of common ground for some also in contrast for some Lebanese they seem like trouble makers that hold the country back and in ransom.
Now they look more devilish than devil itself all across middle east.
Hammas had less of a problem to switch sides as Palestinian/Sunni organisation , it took some time and they did take some heat for this as well.
Hezbollah is at the wrong side of the stick here...in this hamula war.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by MH

Yes it is about power but also the marketing issue has some value as well. For example the struggle with " the zionist entity" -Israel and image defenders of Lebanon is sort of common ground for some also in contrast for some Lebanese they seem like trouble makers that hold the country back and in ransom.
Now they look more devilish than devil itself all across middle east.

How they look to others only plays a role when it creates a negative effect for them. I do not see this being the case, so their credibility seems to make little or no difference. Hezbollah is more powerful, militarily,m than the Lebanese army or any of the Lebenasde militias, all saides have tried to make their deals with Hezbollah to not get overrolled.

And the private man on the streets? Was forced by Hezbollah with weapons to not flee from bombed villages in 2006 and serve as human shields that hopefully wpould get killed, to prodce healdines that could be used against Israel's air force.

It seems to me Hezbollah's credibility does not play a role. What they depend on maybe is good relations with Teheran, since it is Teheran sending them money and weapons. As long as this is the case, Hezbollah must not care for it credibility in others' eyes.

[Skybird]

For three times now Israel has attacked targets in Syria this year to prevent the handing over of modern missiles from Syria to Hezbollah. It is reported now that Assad has ordered the most modern missiles he has to get readied for immediate launch against Tel Aviv in case the Israelis strike a fourth time.

I think this will not stop the Israelis if another delivery gets underway. But it heightens the risk of Israel getting drawn into this mess directly, although it wants and has claimed often to want to stay by the sidelines. It can live with Assad in power. What it cannot live with is modern missiles delivered to Hezbollah. Even a bastard like Assad should be able to understand that.