This tweet from Simplicius the Thinker will set the tone: According to Amos Yadlin, the ex-chief of Israel's Military Intelligence, Hamas has proven to be more formidable than initially anticipated. Assertions suggesting that Hamas is experiencing a decline in strength are not grounded in reality.
"Is the long game on the side of Iran, Hezbollah, and other countries in the region?"
I think it is, because Israel has lost, perhaps forever, its 'special and protected status', which it has 'enjoyed' since the end of WWII. Innocent victims of Hitler and Nazi Germany, for decades it has been exempt from criticism and could do no wrong. Atleast no wrong which could threaten its special status as probably the US's closest ally. And if any criticism did materialize it would be immediately dismissed as antisemitic. And the critic would be effectively cancelled.
It now looks like criticism of Israel is alive and growing and not dismissable. And the guilt and embarrassment of the West over the Holocaust is dying with the natural deaths of those alive in the years following WWII. Most Westerners alive today know nothing of the status of jews in Nazi Germany. They only know of Jews who enjoy power, wealth and privilege.
The Middle East is now coalescing around its shared interests and putting aside factional and religious differences. In any event, the ME doesn't care about the historical collective guilt of the West. It cares about the forced expulsion of Palestinians and appropriation of Palestinian lands and property and the atrocities committed by the settlers and IDF in Gaza and the West Bank.
I think the 'long game' favors a stronger, wealthier, more populous, and more united Middle East. If I were Israel I would not put all my money on military victory.
Fully agreed, and this was implicit in Hasan Nasrallah's address on 11 November. It was another placeholder speech, biding time, and did what it said on the can: commemorated "Martyrs Day".
He celebrated the achievements of the resistance, pointed out that Hezbollah is continuing to keep part of the IDF occupied, characterises Israel as a US puppet, and the UK likewise, and alludes to the Riyadh conference running simultaneously.** Alluded to (most likely Erdogan) “people who talk too much”. Gave great credit to Syria, and to Yemen and thanks to Iran. No actual threats issued - but that’s not really his style.
** Most of the speeches at Riyadh were similarly patient, though Assad had more fire in his belly (hardly surprising since massive slices of Syria are under occupation).
All of the above points to, as Cass put it, the long game. Attrition, no rash or emotionally-based overreactions, the same approach that VVP has adopted. The name-calling and provocations are having limited effect so, unfortunately, a false flag has got to be high up the agenda. As was pointed out elsewhere in this set of comments the egregore intends to win or go down trying.
It seems odd to impute incompetence to the largest and most well funded intelligence network in human history.
What if this was all by design to rally the Islamic world?
There is a rumour swelling that Western intelligence is funneling arms from Ukraine to its Islamic cells in the West across globe.
Apparently the aim is to create a ‘night of the long knives’ across the West that will be so devastating so as to necessitate a global response. Israel’s part is to infuriate the Islamic world.
You've gotta love the intransigence in U.S. House of Representatives at the moment: Zhou and his munchkins have known for some time that the House will NOT pass a 'blank check' all-in-one spending bill for UA and IL and God knows what else. IL slowly grows broke, and UA dies on the vine...that is unless Pustula von der Lugen and her ilk find EU 50B in the sofa cushions with Hungary and CZ Republic thumbing their noses at that. Rots-a ruck! Broke-ass EU stealing from the masses.
This is exactly what the Framers of the Constitution had in mind when the Separation of Powers was established--"If you cannot do good, do nothing at all".
God Bless Matt Gaetz and Mike Johnson in Doing. Nothing.
Let November 17th come and go and let it all shut down.
That'll be cause for Thanksgiving in and of itself.
There’s no oil in Ukraine. The destruction of Ukraine was an opportunity for Blackrock to enrich themselves through profitable contracts to rebuild off the backs of the U.S. taxpayer. Israel is about Black Gold. Israel is the colony of the City of London.
That is true, the breadbasket as they once called it. My comment has to do with the chaos that has driven this madness and the vultures of Blackrock look to get lucrative contracts to rebuild the infrastructure. Fortunately (or unfortunately when you consider the loss of their youth) there wasn't a scorched earth policy killing the agricultural prospect of their land.
Thanks for the links to more evidence of the ways and means the Oligarch's are fattening themselves while caring little for the lives lost and the damage done.
“What is the rest of our ruling class thinking about?” Could it be those pesky polls and darned 2024 elections? Perhaps taking a page from that great arbiter of democracy in Kiev?
Yes, that is the perception many of us have however there are those among the electorate who are beginning to long for the economy and relative peace that existed under Trump. I mean geopolitically, not the internal chaos driven by the left and the anti-Trump excess. Whether that will be enough is the unknown.
A longer war always favours the insurgents, because modern Western nations simply can't take the casualties and bad publicity. All Hamas has to do is survive. Elon Musk has been saying some valid if rather obvious things on X: unless the IDF goes full genocide, they are going to create a whole new generation of Hamas recruits. Finally, Euro diplomat and former French PM. Dominique de Villepin, made a very good speech to about Netanyahu's massive errors. Very surprising and encouraging to see a Euroweenie talking sense for once and not just following the Washington line.
Actually Dominique Villepin is no idiot - has often spoken his mind on the dangers of blindly following US foreign policy, ie a competent, talented diplomat. In France though he’s a voice crying in the wilderness.
I believe some of the people are waking up to the idea their country is being taken from them without a fight and they are paying for their own demise.
Why aren't the Israeli's FLOODING the Hamas TUNNELS with Seawater?
They can flood them in a few hours using industrial sized, diesel powered, water pumps.
"Is the long game on the side of Iran, Hezbollah, and other countries in the region?"
I think it is, because Israel has lost, perhaps forever, its 'special and protected status', which it has 'enjoyed' since the end of WWII. Innocent victims of Hitler and Nazi Germany, for decades it has been exempt from criticism and could do no wrong. Atleast no wrong which could threaten its special status as probably the US's closest ally. And if any criticism did materialize it would be immediately dismissed as antisemitic. And the critic would be effectively cancelled.
It now looks like criticism of Israel is alive and growing and not dismissable. And the guilt and embarrassment of the West over the Holocaust is dying with the natural deaths of those alive in the years following WWII. Most Westerners alive today know nothing of the status of jews in Nazi Germany. They only know of Jews who enjoy power, wealth and privilege.
The Middle East is now coalescing around its shared interests and putting aside factional and religious differences. In any event, the ME doesn't care about the historical collective guilt of the West. It cares about the forced expulsion of Palestinians and appropriation of Palestinian lands and property and the atrocities committed by the settlers and IDF in Gaza and the West Bank.
I think the 'long game' favors a stronger, wealthier, more populous, and more united Middle East. If I were Israel I would not put all my money on military victory.
Fully agreed, and this was implicit in Hasan Nasrallah's address on 11 November. It was another placeholder speech, biding time, and did what it said on the can: commemorated "Martyrs Day".
He celebrated the achievements of the resistance, pointed out that Hezbollah is continuing to keep part of the IDF occupied, characterises Israel as a US puppet, and the UK likewise, and alludes to the Riyadh conference running simultaneously.** Alluded to (most likely Erdogan) “people who talk too much”. Gave great credit to Syria, and to Yemen and thanks to Iran. No actual threats issued - but that’s not really his style.
** Most of the speeches at Riyadh were similarly patient, though Assad had more fire in his belly (hardly surprising since massive slices of Syria are under occupation).
All of the above points to, as Cass put it, the long game. Attrition, no rash or emotionally-based overreactions, the same approach that VVP has adopted. The name-calling and provocations are having limited effect so, unfortunately, a false flag has got to be high up the agenda. As was pointed out elsewhere in this set of comments the egregore intends to win or go down trying.
Excellent perspective because it's fresh.
It seems odd to impute incompetence to the largest and most well funded intelligence network in human history.
What if this was all by design to rally the Islamic world?
There is a rumour swelling that Western intelligence is funneling arms from Ukraine to its Islamic cells in the West across globe.
Apparently the aim is to create a ‘night of the long knives’ across the West that will be so devastating so as to necessitate a global response. Israel’s part is to infuriate the Islamic world.
Hopefully it’s just a rumour.
You've gotta love the intransigence in U.S. House of Representatives at the moment: Zhou and his munchkins have known for some time that the House will NOT pass a 'blank check' all-in-one spending bill for UA and IL and God knows what else. IL slowly grows broke, and UA dies on the vine...that is unless Pustula von der Lugen and her ilk find EU 50B in the sofa cushions with Hungary and CZ Republic thumbing their noses at that. Rots-a ruck! Broke-ass EU stealing from the masses.
This is exactly what the Framers of the Constitution had in mind when the Separation of Powers was established--"If you cannot do good, do nothing at all".
God Bless Matt Gaetz and Mike Johnson in Doing. Nothing.
Let November 17th come and go and let it all shut down.
That'll be cause for Thanksgiving in and of itself.
I hope you are right about Mike Johnson.
MJ is still a question mark. Matt Gaetz is still going to go down in history as a True Patriot.
Nonetheless, they both are much better than what we had.
I saw a clip of mbs claiming that the saudis will rule the world within 5 (or 10?) years. Not sure what he knows that we dont yet
This should be appearing on Youtube soon if it isn't there now. Mearsheimer isn't a real military analyst but he undoubtedly has excellent sources:
US Military has Overextended Itself - John Mearsheimer, Alexander Mercouris and Glenn Diesen
I have no doubt that we have overextended ourselves. We've been in too many unnecessary wars since Desert Storm/Shield. Our servicemen are tired.
Some sane adult needs to pull the kill switch on our swashbuckling folly before we bite off something we can't, and don't want, to chew.
This is one of his better arguments against the obvious faulty judgement(s) of the State Dep't.
Mearsheimer points out that AU & PRC are aligning in their interests perhaps sensing Uncle Sugar is well overextended.
Can't wait for the new $200 billion Israeli Aid Package to be rammed through Congress.
Sorry Zelensky, nothing for you because you're just Junior Partner.
Senior Partner Israel is taking their full share this year.
I heard this joke or something like it yesterday-
"It's not true that Israel is our 51st State because then they'd only have two Senators."
There’s no oil in Ukraine. The destruction of Ukraine was an opportunity for Blackrock to enrich themselves through profitable contracts to rebuild off the backs of the U.S. taxpayer. Israel is about Black Gold. Israel is the colony of the City of London.
That is true, the breadbasket as they once called it. My comment has to do with the chaos that has driven this madness and the vultures of Blackrock look to get lucrative contracts to rebuild the infrastructure. Fortunately (or unfortunately when you consider the loss of their youth) there wasn't a scorched earth policy killing the agricultural prospect of their land.
Thanks for the links to more evidence of the ways and means the Oligarch's are fattening themselves while caring little for the lives lost and the damage done.
“What is the rest of our ruling class thinking about?” Could it be those pesky polls and darned 2024 elections? Perhaps taking a page from that great arbiter of democracy in Kiev?
https://freebeacon.com/elections/dangerous-biden-casts-doubt-on-polls-laying-groundwork-to-delegitimize-2024-election/
Say it ain’t so…
It's perfectly fine for Biden to question elections but if it's Trump, "Lock Him Up!"
but of course!
The Donald looms and the fear of accountability has them nervous, if not terrified.
Yes, that is the perception many of us have however there are those among the electorate who are beginning to long for the economy and relative peace that existed under Trump. I mean geopolitically, not the internal chaos driven by the left and the anti-Trump excess. Whether that will be enough is the unknown.
A longer war always favours the insurgents, because modern Western nations simply can't take the casualties and bad publicity. All Hamas has to do is survive. Elon Musk has been saying some valid if rather obvious things on X: unless the IDF goes full genocide, they are going to create a whole new generation of Hamas recruits. Finally, Euro diplomat and former French PM. Dominique de Villepin, made a very good speech to about Netanyahu's massive errors. Very surprising and encouraging to see a Euroweenie talking sense for once and not just following the Washington line.
Macron has blinked and called for a ceasefire citing the killing of children, ladies and the elderly.
Actually Dominique Villepin is no idiot - has often spoken his mind on the dangers of blindly following US foreign policy, ie a competent, talented diplomat. In France though he’s a voice crying in the wilderness.
Indeed. He sounds distinctly sane. France, meanwhile, is going to have it's own very real problems soon where West v Islam relations are concerned.
The colonial ethos of the Euroweenies is being turned upon them as the colonizers become colonized by the very people they suppressed and enslaved.
I believe some of the people are waking up to the idea their country is being taken from them without a fight and they are paying for their own demise.
France is continuing to allow Muslim immigration at the same time as Macron et al are talking tough about Islamic extremism.
French public opinion will act before Macron and the useless French political elite does.
USS Eisenhower is in the Strait of Hormuz.
Easy FF Target.
I read about that, kinda like the Brass feels guilty about what they're about to do.
LMAO
Vicious!
But sadly could be the case.