Repost from prior thread:
…. Netanyahu ordered the cancellation of the “gas deal” with Lebanon”. Al Mayadeen…..
Thus…it is not about Hezbollah…not even for the returning of displaced settlers to the north ( who have already stated they will never return to such place to be human shields, for that matter…), but, as the Minsk Agreements acted as a gambit to gain time to arm Ukraine for the war against Russia, and the Nord Stream pipelines blown out acted as a exit shot, the Gas Agreements with Lebanon were done to just gain time for a better opportunity to appropiate Lebanon´s legitimate rights to exploit its own gas fields, something Israel and its masters in Wall Street and The City are not willing to allow happening…obviously, as has been Gaza wiped out from the face of Earth to rob Gaza Marine field….
That is, they plan to rob Lebanese gas as they are robbing Iraqi and Syrian hydrocarbon for years in a round before the irrelevance of the UN…
The Lebanes Army would do good paying attention to what is going on here…
Posted by: Ghost of Mozgovoy | Sep 29 2024 13:32 utc | 651……

Posted by: Exile | Sep 29 2024 14:05 utc | 4

The ZioNazis got the gas from the Gazans. From Lebanon they get the fresh water.
And from both, they slake their bloodlust.

Posted by: necromancer | Sep 29 2024 14:21 utc | 6

Exile @ 4
From what I have been told Hezbollah gets a cut of that gas deal and IMHO that is what held them back from going all in when Israel entered Gaza. Its just talk I picked up from people inside the country. I cannot prove that with solid evidence. If they were true Israel would have back out of the deal at some point when it suited them. The Gaza gas fields are another part of the story. Its about being the “gas station for Europe in the Med.” What a money maker that will be.
I cannot wrap my head around the scale of evil produced by such a small group of people. Who can make war against the BEAST?
It looks like many of the Syrian refugees are leaving Lebanon to take their chances in Syria. That means they have to give up the stipend the UN gives them monthly. While the stipend is not large it is very helpful.
On the other hand, I am told many actually live on both sides of the border. Once the stipend is set up they make the monthly trip to pick up their money and head back to Syria. Some do that, some do not.
How cash assistance works for Syrian refugees

Posted by: circumspect | Sep 29 2024 14:28 utc | 8

1. The Israelis always articulated an intent to destroy Dahiyeh if needed.
2. The Hezbollah leadership always understood and articulated the need for operational security of mobile devices.
3. Dahiyeh had been under periodic strikes for at least two weeks before Nasrallah was assassinated.
4. Yet all the senior leaders of Hezbollah congregated at Dahiyeh, even while strikes were ongoing.
5. Even after Nasrallah was killed (we believe) by the mass dump of bunker busting bombs, the leadership insists on congregating in Dahiyeh.
This can only mean that the senior Hezbollah leadership knew that they would be struck but still chose to locate themselves at the very point Israel would strike.
What could explain this behaviour?

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 29 2024 14:47 utc | 10

Posted by: LanceThruster | Sep 29 2024 13:43 utc | 2
“the Trump fascist threat”. Silly, the prez slot is a puppet-show position and Uncle Savage is already a fascist corporate outfit. Sounds like she only cleaned up deranged graffiti.

Posted by: Sikuvit | Sep 29 2024 14:51 utc | 12

This can only mean that the senior Hezbollah leadership knew that they would be struck but still chose to locate themselves at the very point Israel would strike.
What could explain this behaviour?
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 29 2024 14:47 utc | 10
There are only two logical possibilities.
One, they didn’t believe Israel would strike them, possibly because they need a negotiation partner.
The other possibility is that they don’t have anywhere else to go, they don’t have a tunnel/bunker complex that is deeper/better defended.

Posted by: Delhiliterally | Sep 29 2024 14:56 utc | 14

The near future could prove this wrong, however it appears Iran’s fear of Israel/USA is what is motivating their inaction. Likewise I believe the Russians and Chinese share this fear. I guess their thinking is: the Jews running the US really are lunatics with nukes, therefore we must never do anything to trigger them.
Maybe it’s just wishful thinking but I can’t help but think that if anyone took inspiration from AnsarAllah and gave the US military a good push that we’d see the entire economic structure of the West collapse. They can’t even cut off the oil supply!!! it shall all collapse if we patiently wait long enough. Sorry, no, it won’t collapsed without revealing all the lies that prop up the system.
Of course it’s easy for me to hope someone would give it that push as no one will be firing nukes at me after it happens. Thus I don’t blame the Iranians, Russians or Chinese. Still it is disappointing. We’ve been speculating for years about the Israeli and US military being paper tigers. Turns out it’s the Iranians, Russians and Chinese who are the paper tigers.

Posted by: EoinW | Sep 29 2024 15:01 utc | 16

Delhiliterally@1456
C’mon now. If the Palestinians in Gaza, with their highly limited resources can create untouchable, deep tunnels in that sand-pit; Hezbollah can and likely has developed underground facilities which would only MAYBE be vulnerable to direct nuclear strikes. Get real.

Posted by: aristodemos | Sep 29 2024 15:11 utc | 18

I’m thinking the sooner the flow of energy stops the sooner “Israel” disappears.
Refineries, storage, feedstocks, oil tankers, terminals, and the people with the knowledge to run the processes, place the orders, and so on.
· · ·
Mining all runways from afar seems like the easiest way to cause the maximum delay in their use; each sapper-proof mine will first have to be detonated and then only after that can reconstruction start …unless more mines have been dispersed across the ruins and craters 🙂
Or one could explode the first batch of mines right away before laying down a new layer.
· · ·
Only thinking out loud.

Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Sep 29 2024 15:12 utc | 20

My own preference for titling the thread would be something like Muddle-East or Meddle-East. When the Meddle hits th road the Muddle will be revealed.
Posted by: aristodemos | Sep 29 2024 15:07 utc | 17

Better yet to call it the West Asia thread; it’s only “the Middle East” to geographical bigots from “the West” who also use the terms “the Near East” and “the Far East”.

Posted by: N. Hanrahan | Sep 29 2024 15:17 utc | 22

Posted by: Mark Mosby | Sep 29 2024 14:58 utc | 15
Palestine is a place. “Israel” is a concept.

Posted by: farm ecologist | Sep 29 2024 15:20 utc | 24

This can only mean that the senior Hezbollah leadership knew that they would be struck but still chose to locate themselves at the very point Israel would strike.
What could explain this behaviour?
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 29 2024 14:47 utc | 10
Beirut has always been fraught with danger for the Resistance, as it is full of foreign diplomatic and NGOs, as well as rival Christian, Druze and Sunni groups who would assist any attack on Hezbollah with intelligence, famously in the 1985 bombing attack.
Hezbollah command should have always focused on staying in the miles of tunnels that they have in the South of the country, with seclusion and isolation to their benefit.
What precipitated the attack was the economic pressure being put on Israel by attacks was becoming unbearable, not military pressure.
The focus for efforts by the resistance, moving forward, will be on discouraging the foreign investment Israel relies on, and encouraging emigration by economically and militarily valuable Israelis and dual citizens.
This will be done through organizing economic boycotts of Israeli companies and startups, boycotts of those doing business with Israel, lobbying for divestment and an end to favorable tax treatment in other countries of investment in Israel.
The hysterical reaction by Zionists abroad to any attempt at boycotts, witness the illegal (in the US) legislation banning such activity, shows they see their vulnerability to such campaigns and fear them.

Posted by: Delhiliterally | Sep 29 2024 15:23 utc | 26

Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺
@ejmalrai
#Hezbollah confirmed the death of Abu al-Fadel, the Jihadi Council member, one of the most important members of the old guards, while meeting Sayyed Nasrallah.
Also Sheikh Nabil Qawook, prevention unit responsible, was assassinated yesterday.
Israel is targeting most 1st and 2d level leadership.
Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺
@ejmalrai
#Israel is bombing al-Hudaida airport (hardly functioning) and harbour in #Yemen. Only by enlarging the war that Israel and @Netanyahu
‘s pride will be challenged.
Ansar Allah said Israel hit the electricity power generator in Hodeidah.
Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺
@ejmalrai
#Hezbollah is expected to regain the initiative and turn the table on @Netanyahu
as there is nothing left to lose. You will understand my words in due course.
Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺
@ejmalrai
US government spokesman John Kirby said:
“Hezbollah today is not the Hezbollah we knew a week ago. Israel has destroyed its entire leadership organisation and thousands of missiles and drones in recent days.”
This is what both the #US and #Israel believe. Will they reconsider in a week’s time and #Hezbollah prove otherwise? Failure to do so would encourage an Israeli (with US support) ground invasion.
Time will tell. Soon.

https://x.com/ejmalrai/status/1840369341725839559

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 29 2024 15:34 utc | 28

RE: What could explain this behaviour?
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 29 2024 14:47 utc | 10
Resistance.
Hezbollah went from militant resistant group, low profile mini defending army of Lebanon to a high profile, injected into society, part of Lebanon political arena, with the entire South relying & depending on them for defense, social and educational needs, worship centers ect.
Most of those leaders were engaged in civil duties, law enforcement duties, judicial services. They were tirelessly working on evacuations and resettlement of civilians in homes else were.
I don’t believe, even if not wise at all to me, but they wanted to be seen publicly, doing their duties, not cowering in some hidey hole because the Israelis made them “afraid”.
I also believe these meeting place were at least 4-5 stories underground honestly.
They dropped multiple MOAB bombs on exact locations weakening each layer of defense after each one. I doubt that was calculated.
Obviously it wasn’t wise. But it seems to me, the message was “Stand”… we are here, we are visible and we will not be driven to obscurity.
And honestly, given the two weeks before, how many more months in hidey holes would they have to sit while above ground, their sisters and brothers are getting blown to smithereens?
The expectation for martyrdom was always at the core & accepted, I think they chose to risk their lives, setting an example of living life as would their brethren in society. Pride as it were.
And seriously, when an entire Parliment or Congress or Council meet, even when bombs dropping and at war, do they expect all of the members to get assassinated or blown up? USReal is honestly, setting new precedents every single day of terrorism & mayhem. Never had any supposed “state actor” acted in such vulgar & maniacal manners, even Hitler and Pinochet had higher bars.
I’m not judging or saying it was a wise decision, just responding to the question as it was put forth. The character of Hezbollah and their political positions, made the choices difficult.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 29 2024 15:36 utc | 30

Isn’t it good that “Israel” and “jew” gets repeated as often as possible?
Posted by: Michael A | Sep 29 2024 15:29 utc | 27
—
Its hilarious that the Zionist schism is going to shatter Hebrew eschatology. They’re gonna need a re-write.

Posted by: too scents | Sep 29 2024 15:43 utc | 32

israel is once again cruising for a big bruising from the Houthis
….civilian targets…
https://t.me/ResistanceTrench/32296
ResistanceTrench
Yemeni source: today’s attack by the Zionist regime was on the port and power plant of Hodeidah, and this issue will not make Yemen stop its military operations
This official source emphasized that Israel’s targeting of civilian targets will be answered by targeting civilian targets of the enemy. Zionists should know this.
This source noted: America has given a green light to the Zionist enemy for this attack.

Posted by: michaelj72 | Sep 29 2024 15:51 utc | 34

Sayed Hassan Nasrallah was a formidable leader who fought Israel and US-ISIS all his life. He is a hero.
Now my question is why Iranians, who are also maybe highly infiltrated, are staying on the side. After fueling everyone with rockets, they seem only interested in lifting sanctions. While I always supported Iran’s policy, I’m having a hard time understanding it in these dark times.

Posted by: AnimaL | Sep 29 2024 15:57 utc | 36

@ Peter AU1 28
I have been making this point for days now. Appeasement will only make the aggressor more aggressive.
The time is now for an all out push against Israel, otherwise this will be 1967 all over again with more territories lost. Not to mention the fall out of a defeated and humiliated ME, yet again.
Russia and China are making big mistakes by holding. Iran back. There is always something that supersedes their plans. They dont want anything to spoil the BRICS meeting, and in a month I’m sure there will be something else.
And in the meantime Israel taking adavantage of all these delays to kill more people and destroy more infrastructure. 1800+ dead, 8000+ injured in Lebanon. Gaza 2.0.

Posted by: Alpi | Sep 29 2024 16:02 utc | 38

“This official source emphasized that Israel’s targeting of civilian targets will be answered by targeting civilian targets of the enemy. Zionists should know this.
This source noted: America has given a green light to the Zionist enemy for this attack.”
Posted by: michaelj72 | Sep 29 2024 15:51 utc | 34
In 1940, in the Battle of Britain, Hitler got sucked in by Churchill in a similar fashion.
Hitler, the Luftwaffe, were bombing British air assets-basically airfields, factories and it was winning.
Churchill ordered bombing raids on German civilians and Hitler , angry, changed the plan and started to bomb London and civilian targets, not military assets-too bad because the British RAF were on their knees in August..
If Hitler had kept to his game plan the history of WW2 might be much different.
I hope Hezbollah et al keep to their game plan and not be ‘suckered’.

Posted by: canuck | Sep 29 2024 16:03 utc | 40

Good explanation by Trubind1 above.
Occupation armour concentrating near Lebanese border:
https://t.me/NewsPs0/128656

Posted by: Ornot | Sep 29 2024 16:03 utc | 42

@ Peter AU1 28
I have been making this point for days now. Appeasement will only make the aggressor more aggressive.
===
Posted by: Alpi | Sep 29 2024 16:02 utc | 38
But suppose, just suppose, you want to make the aggressor more aggressive?

Posted by: Bemildred | Sep 29 2024 16:06 utc | 44

And seriously, when an entire Parliament or Congress or Council meet, even when bombs dropping and at war, do they expect all of the members to get assassinated or blown up? USReal is honestly, setting new precedents every single day of terrorism & mayhem. Never had any supposed “state actor” acted in such vulgar & maniacal manners, even Hitler and Pinochet had higher bars.
I’m not judging or saying it was a wise decision, just responding to the question as it was put forth. The character of Hezbollah and their political positions, made the choices difficult.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 29 2024 15:36 utc | 30
============
Thanks. Your post makes sense.
We are gleeful that the Zionists are finally feeling some pain.
Or, sitting in cellars and bomb shelters to avoid it.
Gleeful because it shows that fear is finally seeping in and disrupting daily lives in Zionistan.
Perhaps Hezbollah decided that they would not cave in to fear in this way.
Kind of like the British royals (regardless of whatever else you think of them) not leaving London during the Blitz?
You are so right, that horrifying new benchmarks are being set by the Zio-Maniacs.
It could easily be justified to drop a bomb on the UN when Netanyahu is present. Or Tel Aviv. Or New York?
Or to hijack his plane and force it to land on unfriendly territory. Or just fire a missile at the plane itself.

Posted by: Jane | Sep 29 2024 16:13 utc | 46

TEHRAN, Sep. 29 (MNA) –
“With God’s help, we will respond to the new aggression of the Zionist enemy” Nasreddin Amer, deputy head of Ansarullah Media Organization said in a post on X.
“The attacks failed. Necessary measures had been taken and oil storages had previously been emptied in Ras Issa and Hudaydah ports and an cautionary plan was implemented,” he further wrote.
Amer also stressed that such Israeli aggression will not deter the Yemeni military from supporting the people of Palestine, noting that the Yemeni army will continue its pro-Palestine operations.

Posted by: JB | Sep 29 2024 16:14 utc | 48

A few days saw an article from US govt that Houthis had launched 23 missiles against US destroyers in Red Sea, and that all had been intercepted. Seemed like an incredible amount of luck to go 23 for 23. Saw posting yesterday from Houthi spokesman that the mix of missiles had made hits on all 3 ships. Since there are always 3 sides to every story (yours, mine, and the truth) does anyone have any info on what really happened?

Posted by: SteveF | Sep 29 2024 16:19 utc | 50

Some commentators seem to misunderstand the strategies of Russia, China and Iran and concomitantly judge them to be weak when they are in fact operating from a position of understanding their own positions and the need to stick to a long-term workable game plan. The Western strategists seem unable to understand a long-term viable game plan and have bounced from one extreme (1990s global dominance through crushing other nations) to another (cause as much mayhem as possible to undermine your challengers in a desperate attempt to gain the impossible global dominance).
– Russia is carrying out a massive full scale war with Ukraine/NATO and needs to balance the demands of this with the health of the economy that supports the war effort (dependent upon the goodwill of the Rest of the World in refusing to implement sanctions) and the maintenance of reserve military elements to dissuade any more direct attacks upon Russia. It simply cannot afford to get involved in other actions in a significant way. This is one reason why the West is desperate to maintain Ukraine in the field, as a Russian victory would free it up to be more active in other areas as well as raise its soft power throughout the RoW.
– China has a long-term plan of simply overwhelming the US/West with its economic power, the positive projection of that power throughout the RoW, and the building of a reputation for non-intervention, respect for sovereignty, and fair play within the RoW. In contrast to the US/Wests increasing destruction of its own soft power. There is absolutely no strategic gain for China to become embroiled in the Middle East conflict, especially when it does not threaten its oil supplies.
– Iran has reached peace with its Arab neighbours, it now has a deepening strategic relationship with Russia and to a lesser extent China. The US presence on its border in Afghanistan has been removed, and Iraq is more an ally than a US base. It has also managed to limit the impacts of the US/West supported “Islamic” terrorist organizations (e.g. ISIS). It understands that there are significant elements in the US establishment that want to destroy it, and therefore must manage its own resources carefully and not provide a casus belli. Just look at the current ridiculous Trump claims that the Iranians are trying to assassinate him when both attempts were so obviously from the US security state.
If the US/West directly attacks Russia then all bets are off. I think the same for a major attack upon Iran, as both Russia and China understand the impacts upon their own strategies of this. Other than this, Russia, China and Iran understand that Israel is simply a puppet of the US (as the now dead leader of Hezbollah stated a number of times), and that the US actions in the Middle East may provide tactical victories but are providing a huge strategic defeat. In addition, the US and the West are declining by the day while they continue to massively develop (China), survive and prosper (Russia) and survive and rebuild (Iran). RIC (Russia, Iran, China) is the absolute core of the anti-Imperialist struggle, that cannot be risked even at the cost of many hundreds of thousands of lives.
Even by 2030, let alone 2035, the global balance of power will be very different. The RIC’s main priority is to make it to that point, and the US/West are desperately trying to stop that through provocation after provocation. And yes, that means that Israel will enjoy short-term horrific victories, but it is nothing without US/West support. And that is declining every year, even within the US as young Jews reject Zionism and the ranks of US Zionist Christians are reduced through death. The current period is the most dangerous as it is the period of transformation from one global order to another.

Posted by: Roger | Sep 29 2024 16:27 utc | 52

Posted by: Alpi | Sep 29 2024 16:29 utc | 53
I’m talking about rope-a-dope. But there is no way to tell out here in TV-land.

Posted by: Bemildred | Sep 29 2024 16:33 utc | 54

Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 29 2024 15:36 utc | 30
I concur. It was not so much “bad OPSEC” (which if it were the case the arsenals would be in shambles, and Hezballah keeps firing) as the fact the leaders had to appear publicly, both for practical reasons to maintain civil operation as for ideological reasons: martyrdom is the highest achievement of Jihad and to “cowardly” hide would be anathema to the very ideological core of the group. There was no “keeping secret” where Nasrallah was; the point was always the knowledge that such a brazen attack would invite retaliation on a scale where gloves would indeed be off. (Let us remind ourselves that up until now “Israel” mostly kept the tacit agreement with Hezballah not to escalate the war by doing outrageous war crimes; it was consensus they were afraid of the reprisal.) Since there really is no turning back, I expect things will get much more brutal and personal from now on.
Posted by: Roger | Sep 29 2024 16:27 utc | 52
Excellent post. I’d quote the old maxim by Gramsci: “The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born; in this interregnum a great variety of morbid symptoms appear.”

Posted by: furnace | Sep 29 2024 16:35 utc | 56

Russia and China are making big mistakes by holding. Iran back. There is always something that supersedes their plans. They dont want anything to spoil the BRICS meeting, and in a month I’m sure there will be something else.
Alpi | Sep 29 2024 16:02 utc | 38
There is something much larger going on. It will likely become clearer in the not too distant future.
We in our lifetimes have been used to watching post WWII small wars and conflicts come and go and everything returns to normal.
This time we are in the changing of eras and nothing will return to the post WWII normal. Power is moving from west to east.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 29 2024 16:37 utc | 58

Posted by: Delhiliterally | Sep 29 2024 15:23 utc | 26

This will be done through organizing economic boycotts of Israeli companies and startups, boycotts of those doing business with Israel, lobbying for divestment and an end to favorable tax treatment in other countries of investment in Israel.

American weapons merchants are major industries in USA.
They might be a useful place to boycott.
Except, of course, that your neighbors and your children might depend on those industries for their livelihood; your town relies on the tax revenue; your retirement plan relies on the investment/revenue.
It’s complicated.
Lockheed Martin, largest weapons maker/merchant in the world, produces the F35, “most advanced fighter jet in the world. Lockheed has >15 locations in US.
Even before the Lockheed-Martin Marietta merger, the weapons maker had an extremely close relationship with Israel.
Share price rose from ~USD 12 in 1985, before Lockheed merger with Martin Marietta to USD 49. in 2001; USD 110 by 2008; topped USD 200 in March 2015; closed at USD 582 on 9/27.
Lockheed as well as General Dynamics also make the F16.
Evolutions in flying and the use of flight in war-waging, and bomb-making, and spying abilities; developed almost in lock-step with the increasing dominance of zionism; the technologies have particular appeal to the “militant, thrill and drama-driven psyche” of zionists.
“Horses can fly but that doesn’t make the world a better place.”

Posted by: ChasMark | Sep 29 2024 16:41 utc | 60

Please use some translator
https://cmatosgomes46.medium.com/na-periferia-do-imp%C3%A9rio-e-da-sorte-3e9369219e45

Posted by: António Ferrão | Sep 29 2024 16:51 utc | 62

@Mr.Ass | Sep 29 2024 16:47 utc | 60
The situation up until a year ago can not be re-established. The only solution is the state of Palestine, open to those who want peaceful life.

Posted by: Norwegian | Sep 29 2024 16:56 utc | 64

trubind1@1536
Astute analysis. Thanks.

Posted by: aristodemos | Sep 29 2024 17:00 utc | 66

Nasrallah killing is of course the result of treason of some kind, either by close insider or some close allied timely aware of Hezbollah leadership location, or some police or military intel, whomever infiltrated by Mossad agents …

Posted by: Greg Galloway | Sep 29 2024 17:04 utc | 68

connected to Posted by: JB | Sep 29 2024 16:04 utc | 43
I link to a longer and better translation of what the former commander of the Quds force said about Hezbollah after the killing of Nasrallah and the others:
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2024/09/29/3168225/all-hezbollah-late-commanders-replaced-ex-irgc-quds-force-chief
From:
“I have information that new people have replaced the (Hezbollah) commanders as soon as they were martyred. Today, one can say that no commanding position in the command chart of Lebanon’s Hezbollah remains vacant, as all (deceased) commanders have been replaced. As an informed person, I’d emphasize that all (Hezbollah) commanders have been replaced and are doing their job vigorously,” he said.
The Iranian general stated that the new generation of pious, innovative, and courageous commanders of Hezbollah has already begun to deal consecutive blows to the Zionist regime instantly and powerfully.

Posted by: JB | Sep 29 2024 17:10 utc | 70

With Rania Khalek’s “Breakthrough News”, Elijah Magnier goes into detail on how Israel managed to discover the Hezbollah leadership in Dahiyeh, essentially trap them there and attack the above ground storage of missiles:
https://www.youtube.com/live/pKX2Gul90_Y
Magnier suggests that Israel may be able to invade Lebanon within the next two weeks – if it’s calculations do not go awry.
Magnier is:
– realistic about the hit Hezbollah has received
– positive it can recover from these lost battles
– convinced that the entire destroyed leadership of Hezbollah has already been replaced.
Most notably, Magnier states that this is only the beginning of the war and very soon Israel will have exhausted their bank of targets and their capacity to surprise.
Interesting:
He suggests that the major part of the compromise of Hezbollah’s operational security came during the war against ISIS in Syria.
He suggests that in fact, the invention of ISIS had a large part to do with weakening Hezbollah as part of a multi-pronged strategy, including the pager infiltration operation.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 29 2024 17:12 utc | 72

“There is absolutely no strategic gain for China to become embroiled in the Middle East conflict, especially when it does not threaten its oil supplies.”
Posted by: Roger | Sep 29 2024 16:27 utc | 52
I vehemently disagree.
China’s has only one overseas naval base in Djibouti right on the path the oil tankers coming out of the Middle east-that’s why they have their only overseas base there.
And this is why:
“Despite China’s years-long efforts to ramp up local production and diversify its acquisition, its dependency on the Middle East for crude oil remains intact. In 2020, China imported crude oil that totaled roughly US$176 billion. Almost half (47%) of these official imports came from Middle Eastern countries.” (1)
For you to say, ‘there is no absolutely no gain for China to become embroiled’ in the ME when they have their only naval base in the ME while 47% of their crude oil comes through ME is farcical.
1.https://www.insights-global.com/chinas-reliance-on-middle-east-oil-gas-to-rise-sharply/#:~:text=Despite%20China's%20years%2Dlong%20efforts,came%20from%20Middle%20Eastern%20countries.

Posted by: canuck | Sep 29 2024 17:20 utc | 74

But it seems to me, the message was “Stand”… we are here, we are visible and we will not be driven to obscurity.
And honestly, given the two weeks before, how many more months in hidey holes would they have to sit while above ground, their sisters and brothers are getting blown to smithereens?
The expectation for martyrdom was always at the core & accepted, I think they chose to risk their lives, setting an example of living life as would their brethren in society. Pride as it were.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Sep 29 2024 15:36 utc | 30
This. Thank you.

Posted by: Mary | Sep 29 2024 17:30 utc | 76

“There is absolutely no strategic gain for China to become embroiled in the Middle East conflict, especially when it does not threaten its oil supplies.”
Posted by: Roger | Sep 29 2024 16:27 utc | 52
China could diminish Israeli influence over American politics almost instantly by revoking Macau casino licenses of prominent American Zionists, the cash flow from which is used to bankroll the US politics, such as that of Miriam Adelson who bankrolls the US Republican Party as it’s largest single donor, or Weinberg as a similar role of the Democratic Party.
Obviously this does not interest China, and its share of the cash flow from gambling/corruption seems more important to it.

Posted by: Delhiliterally | Sep 29 2024 17:39 utc | 78

@ Posted by: LanceThruster | Sep 29 2024 13:43 utc | 2
Thanks for the link babe.

Posted by: Squeeth | Sep 29 2024 17:45 utc | 80

But their biggest achievment is the pacification of hundreds of millions of Arabs in the world. Nobody in Egypt or Lybia suupports Hezbollah these days.
Posted by: vargas | Sep 29 2024 17:46 utc | 80
It’s not like any of those people ever mattered anyway.
They’re all sheep lined up to be sheared and butchered.
That’s the choice they made.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 29 2024 17:48 utc | 82

The main question in the Lebanon war is if the child-murderers could maintain the tracking of Hezb leaders and also other fighters and commanders, and if they can track the missiles and drones.
I have the theory that the chips used in the missiles and drones coud have been “tuned” to have some kind of tracking device, so the settlers’s army can know where these missiles are and attack them even if they are underground (it is a matter of more bunker-buster bomb used). Almost all the chips producers are inside western allies (TSMC, Intel, Samsung, etc….) and the supply chains of the others could be intervened and then the equipment altered/changed, as was the case of the pagers.
So may be a good part of the Hezb arsenal, that have electornics inside, have occult tracking devices, and even may be some of these electronic parts was used in Iran not only to make missiles but also domestic appliances and may be this is the reason the child-murderers strongly believe there are drones and missiles inside flats in buildings.
The next huge question if the latter is true, is: what could happens if all or a good part of the iranian missiles and drones are infected and could be tracked by CIA/Mossad

Posted by: Dave | Sep 29 2024 17:51 utc | 84

Pride ?
Old tale of a captured Montenegrian Rebel Chieftan hauled before the mighty Sultan in Constantinople.
Sultan, “Why do you fight us ? . we are mighty and you are puny ”
Chieftan “I fight for gold and treasure”
Sultan “pathetic, I fight for glory and honor”
Chieftain “Every man fights for what he does not have”

Posted by: Exile | Sep 29 2024 17:56 utc | 86

Posted by Arnaud Bertrand on Twitter, about Israel’s self-defeating position, irrespective of short term victories:
https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/1840301358559453648
“Another exceptionally masterful explanation by former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin of what’s at stake with what Israel is currently doing.
He strongly criticizes the lack of vision among Western leaders: “They do not have any strategic vision, and in particular, they still have not understood that the new world order would be based on principles […] European diplomacy and American diplomacy have checked out. They are absent!”
He says this is because “they are unable to extract themselves from their geopolitical situation as Westerners to create a path towards the rest of the world, especially towards the global south, towards the great powers today that are rising – those of the BRICS and others.”
He argues that Israel’s current path is self-defeating as the use of force, especially when not sanctioned by international law, can only leads to more violence and instability: “I’m afraid that Israel is condemned to lead war after war, each time with more use of force […] They can maintain security on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, but on Thursday and Friday insecurity will be reborn. Insecurity will be permanent. And that’s why the Israelis invented this saying which summarizes everything: they have to ‘mow the lawn’. Yes, because violence grows back, and it always grows back more vigorous and always stronger. […] The only way out would be the creation of a Palestinian state, more justice.”
He draws a parallel between the current global situation and the lead-up to World War II, reminding us: “Let’s not forget that the League of Nations began to die in earnest in 1935 when Italy invaded Ethiopia. There was this great speech of the Negus, the Emperor Haile Selassie, who addressed the League of Nations to request its assistance. And then after, there was the Spanish war and many other dramas and crises that led to World War II.”
He believes the only solution to all this is the embracing of a new world order with, as “a starting point”, respect for international law which can only come with respect for others – in particular the nations of the global South – and the repair of the “injustice” and the “wound” that is the denial of a state to Palestinians.
On this he says that Macron missed a unique opportunity at the UN a few days ago, instead of giving a speech reminiscent of “the Queen of England speaking at the UN”, he should have “announced that France recognizes a Palestinian state”: “There was no moment that could have been more useful than today, in a moment when all this region hesitates between a situation of localized war and a total regional war. It was the time to affirm a political vision…. Because what is at stake is the absence of the western world in this demand for justice. It is the absence of voice from the West. Neither Biden nor President Macron nor Olaf Scholz nor does anyone in Europe take the lead. We forget these misfortunes of the world, and well, unfortunately, these misfortunes of the world will take revenge, and we are in this matter, believe it, all concerned. All the debts will be paid. It’s unfortunately history, it’s the great history that we all ought to know and never forget.”

Posted by: Roger | Sep 29 2024 18:05 utc | 88

@Peter AU1 58
I am not as optimistic as you are. If you are waiting for a check-mate moment from the nonaligned countries, I think you are waisting your time. US and the west will not allow that. Not without a world war.
Since 1973 war in the ME, and then 80’s and 2000’s, Lebanon, Iran and few others have been preparing for a time like this. And now that it is time to act, they are being told to hold back for now.
Even if BRICS was successful, it wouldn’t change anything in the ME. This is beyond economic or political remedies. Anything short of total destruction of the zioland is just spitting in the air. It will land in your own face.
Know your enemy.

Posted by: Alpi | Sep 29 2024 18:17 utc | 90

Posted by: Exile | Sep 29 2024 14:05 utc | 4
Posted by: circumspect | Sep 29 2024 14:28 utc | 8
“Gas deal”
Are you talking about the Israel-Lebanon gas deal which resolved a long-standing maritime border dispute over gas-rich waters in the Eastern Mediterranean which finalized in October 2022?
In that deal Israel got the Karish Field and Lebanon got the rights to the Qana Prospect?

Posted by: Ed4 | Sep 29 2024 18:30 utc | 92

❗️🇮🇱/ 🇱🇧 BREAKING: Red Alerts in Haifa, Acre and Nahariyya

https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/10278

❗️🇮🇱/ 🇱🇧 NEW: Hezbollah reportedly launched a ballistic missile at Haifa

https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/10279

Posted by: Norwegian | Sep 29 2024 18:35 utc | 94

Ironically, the only supporters of the Sunni of Gaza are the Shia of Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Sep 29 2024 17:56 utc | 86
All that is out of date, pre-October 7th. Israel is now seen as a greater danger than the Sunni-Shi’a split, if you ask people in the street. Particularly true of Saudi, and even in Jordan, Abdallah is teetering on the edge.

Posted by: laguerre | Sep 29 2024 18:38 utc | 96

Now the Sunni Kings and dictators are competing to assist the Zionists massacre Sunni Palestinian children with American weapons, while the Shia are trying to fight back in defense of their fellow Muslims.
Posted by: Delhiliterally | Sep 29 2024 18:24 utc | 90
Another one who’s out of date.

Posted by: laguerre | Sep 29 2024 18:39 utc | 98

Posted by: Exile | Sep 29 2024 18:35 utc | 94
From my understanding about the agreement at the time it was made, was that when Lebanon started pumping gas from the Qana Prospect, Lebanon would owe Israel some pro rata amount of money.

Posted by: Ed4 | Sep 29 2024 18:47 utc | 100