Now we get the answer—if only partial. It appears to me that Macgregor is raising more questions than providing answers. That’s understandable. The fog of war extends here to a fog surrounding intel. For example, there’s a lot of internet chatter centering on Neocon conspiracies to spark a more or less global conflagration to cover for the defeat in Ukraine—variations on that theme. People like Pepe Escobar and Simplicius the Thinker—and many more—discuss these ideas at length in their recent writings. I still don’t buy it. I just can’t imagine the number of people in Israel who would have to keep silent while Jews are being killed to allow Netanyahu to pull of a kind of FDR-knew-about-Pearl-Harbor event. I’m just not buying that. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s where I’m at.
Imagine the US waffling on providing Israel with weapons and Israel looking towards others for arms support. Think I know of an another country with plenty of arms production that might be willing to assist.
US should stay out of Israeli politics, but we are talking the Biden Administration that hates Bibi.
And we should drill baby drill, for energy independence so we our economy is not held hostage by a bunch of middle eastern countries that despise us. But, stolen elections have consequences, which has destroyed our energy independence.
And the us withdrew 300,000 155 mm shells stored in Israel. Only one company produces shells in Israel, and my guess not that many:
US and Mossad didn't like Netanyahu's "judicial overhaul." "Netanyahu isn’t backing down on judicial overhaul despite pressure from Biden," CNN, 7/21/23: "Despite the tens of thousands of protesters, the increase in refusals to serve by military reservists and even a very public and harsh criticism of the judicial overhaul plan by US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu refused to back down."... https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/21/middleeast/biden-pressure-netanyahu-overhaul-mime-intl/index.html...Neither did Mossad. Mossad gave permission for thousands of its staff to take part in anti-Netanyahu protests in March 2023....Looks like another US Color Revolution
I think it entirely possible that Israeli intelligence agencies knew about the coming attack and kept mum, but not to help Netanyahu but, rather, to discredit him. Did this happen? I don't know, but if it did, the Israeli people have much bigger problems than Hamas- they have literal traitors inside the perimeter.
My main question is this- does Israel have enough armaments to fight a protracted engagement on the ground with Hamas and Hezbollah? I didn't think about this sort of question a year ago, but then a year ago I thought the US kept enough ammo of every kind to fight protracted ground engagements in Europe to last for a year or more- that was obviously a mistake on my part- we didn't even keep enough for the Ukrainians to fight against 100K Russians in a territorial war area smaller than Wyoming.
It looks to me that the Israelis are going to simply lay siege to Gaza- shut off the electrical power, the water, and all imports by air and by sea and starve Hamas out.
This point has been raised, and Larry Johnson also mentions it in the post I'm preparing. Israel claims they're gonna do a land invasion of Gaza, which doesn't seem smart.
Well, a "ground invasion" could mean positioning artillery and tanks on the borders and leveling every building in Gaza to the ground, which is why I wonder how many rounds have the Israelis put away. Sending in infantry with or without armored support into an environment like Gaza seems like a bad idea to me, too.
The battle for sympathy and pointing fingers in the media has begun (as anticipated) and will continue. Next up will be video and photos coming out of Gaza of the dead and wounded innocents, many of whom were likely parading yesterday in celebration of the attack on Israel. There will be two battles fought. One, the actual combat and taking of territory and lives. Second, the propaganda battle to gain sympathy with the goal of stopping the destruction of Gaza and Hamas. As this drags out the propaganda battle will likely go against the Israelis if the IDF proceeds as expected to win the physical battle in Gaza.
Re the propaganda battle, but of course the Israelis will have to fight that, and of course the loudest shrieking harpies will blame Israel for any and all destruction and death. This has already started.
The hostages must consider that they are already dead, and Israel must conquer Gaza as if there were no hostages at all.
It will not be pretty, but any Israeli hesitation will be a worse result than the calls for kumbaya which are already being shouted.
Both sides are doing their usual thing: Hamas killing people up close and personal; Israeli indulging in area bombing and one size fits all retaliation. The results are the same: lots of innocents killed and the level of hatred raised to 11.
Thanks, DJL. I deliberately included the heading saying that the retweet was by Macgregor to show that I was trusting Macgregor. Woops! I'll hafta go with the Greeks on this.
https://chelseagreen.co.uk/book/follow-the-pipelines/
Gives you a whole new perspective to consider regarding Israel's creation and the West's relationship with the middle/near east and each other.
Author is a dyed in the wool democrat/never Trumper and believes in the Green New Deal etc but the book is still well worth a read.
Also this from the WSJ back in April…. Non-paywall version.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/iran-eastern-states/1681502483-iran-recruiting-militant-allies-in-region-to-attack-israel-report
Imagine the US waffling on providing Israel with weapons and Israel looking towards others for arms support. Think I know of an another country with plenty of arms production that might be willing to assist.
Wait for the story that Russia is sending artillery shells to the IDF.
My 2 cents…
US should stay out of Israeli politics, but we are talking the Biden Administration that hates Bibi.
And we should drill baby drill, for energy independence so we our economy is not held hostage by a bunch of middle eastern countries that despise us. But, stolen elections have consequences, which has destroyed our energy independence.
And the us withdrew 300,000 155 mm shells stored in Israel. Only one company produces shells in Israel, and my guess not that many:
https://www.defsecme.com/defence/land/israel-orders-thousands-of-155mm-artillery-shells-from-elbit
Saw this today and thought of your recent solid posts on the topic.
https://thefederalist.com/2023/10/09/israel-loosens-strict-gun-control-laws-to-arm-as-many-citizens-as-possible/
You beat me to the Zhou admin moving the US to energy independence sarcasm!
What US admin has stayed out of Israeli politics? They despise us and use us, but we own them so we're involved.
I think the ownership is more on the reverse.
US and Mossad didn't like Netanyahu's "judicial overhaul." "Netanyahu isn’t backing down on judicial overhaul despite pressure from Biden," CNN, 7/21/23: "Despite the tens of thousands of protesters, the increase in refusals to serve by military reservists and even a very public and harsh criticism of the judicial overhaul plan by US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu refused to back down."... https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/21/middleeast/biden-pressure-netanyahu-overhaul-mime-intl/index.html...Neither did Mossad. Mossad gave permission for thousands of its staff to take part in anti-Netanyahu protests in March 2023....Looks like another US Color Revolution
Since when does Biden or his people actually in charge care about judicial integrity? They don’t so I wonder what the real beef is about.
Israel can handle this problem on their own.
No need to for us to start WW 3.
And Zelensky should pack his bags and directly for one of his Beach Front Mansions.
Well I hope no carrier groups are going to the Gulf, Europe will be in a world of pain if UAE liquified gas is blocked.
Will never happen again. Too risky.
Vulnerable things, carrier groups.
I think it entirely possible that Israeli intelligence agencies knew about the coming attack and kept mum, but not to help Netanyahu but, rather, to discredit him. Did this happen? I don't know, but if it did, the Israeli people have much bigger problems than Hamas- they have literal traitors inside the perimeter.
If so, it’ll become known.
Probably thought it would the usual small manageable attack that would embarrass Netanyahu.
10 years ago, Yancey, I would have called the shrinks on you. Today, nothing is off the table. Whatever happens, I don't see Bibi surviving this.
Could be his finest hour too.
Even if he successfully crushes Hamas, he's still going to face a lot of questions.
He could copy Zelensky and just cancel elections.
You know, suspend Dumbocracy in order to save Dumbocracy!
My main question is this- does Israel have enough armaments to fight a protracted engagement on the ground with Hamas and Hezbollah? I didn't think about this sort of question a year ago, but then a year ago I thought the US kept enough ammo of every kind to fight protracted ground engagements in Europe to last for a year or more- that was obviously a mistake on my part- we didn't even keep enough for the Ukrainians to fight against 100K Russians in a territorial war area smaller than Wyoming.
It looks to me that the Israelis are going to simply lay siege to Gaza- shut off the electrical power, the water, and all imports by air and by sea and starve Hamas out.
Starve Gaza of vital needs. Assume the EU gets more migrants. What will the EU think?
Guess who has plenty of weapons that could assist?
And will the Israeli public accept the very large casualties that this kind of action will inflict on the IDF? I suspect Hamas have gamed this out.
The “Squad” has it seems.
This point has been raised, and Larry Johnson also mentions it in the post I'm preparing. Israel claims they're gonna do a land invasion of Gaza, which doesn't seem smart.
Well, a "ground invasion" could mean positioning artillery and tanks on the borders and leveling every building in Gaza to the ground, which is why I wonder how many rounds have the Israelis put away. Sending in infantry with or without armored support into an environment like Gaza seems like a bad idea to me, too.
Will take 10 years is my estimate to clear out the strip based on annual funding for defense.
After reading your post I went over to CFP and this was at the top of the page: https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/10/10/orthodox-church-gaza-not-bombed/?amp
What is the truth? Who can say at this point.
The battle for sympathy and pointing fingers in the media has begun (as anticipated) and will continue. Next up will be video and photos coming out of Gaza of the dead and wounded innocents, many of whom were likely parading yesterday in celebration of the attack on Israel. There will be two battles fought. One, the actual combat and taking of territory and lives. Second, the propaganda battle to gain sympathy with the goal of stopping the destruction of Gaza and Hamas. As this drags out the propaganda battle will likely go against the Israelis if the IDF proceeds as expected to win the physical battle in Gaza.
Hamas only allows friendly reporters in.
https://legalinsurrection.com/2023/10/flashback-2014-hamas-hides-in-under-and-around-gazas-main-hospital-and-the-media-covers-it-up-video/
Pallywood is the termed coined for all the fake stuff from Hamas.
For some reason I don’t think Hospitals are going to be available soon.
Re the propaganda battle, but of course the Israelis will have to fight that, and of course the loudest shrieking harpies will blame Israel for any and all destruction and death. This has already started.
The hostages must consider that they are already dead, and Israel must conquer Gaza as if there were no hostages at all.
It will not be pretty, but any Israeli hesitation will be a worse result than the calls for kumbaya which are already being shouted.
Conan, what is best in life?
Read my new post and tell me whether you want to revise this comment.
Both sides are doing their usual thing: Hamas killing people up close and personal; Israeli indulging in area bombing and one size fits all retaliation. The results are the same: lots of innocents killed and the level of hatred raised to 11.
Thanks, DJL. I deliberately included the heading saying that the retweet was by Macgregor to show that I was trusting Macgregor. Woops! I'll hafta go with the Greeks on this.
I agree with your assessment.
Sorry, I don't allow Blood + Land comments.
You suggesting Russia poked its ally Iran to start trouble in the MiddleEast to take the pressure off?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7grSsuFSS0&t=162s Hamas - created by the state of Israel
Sort it out is very similar to Wauck it out.