[Thermodyne]

Of course it is not for purely economic reasons. Well in Russia it might be, they are in a very bad way there. I can only hope that the world continues to finance their transition. But France also has concerns about influence. And a Colonial Empire with ambitions along those lines is always a difficult think to accept. As I have already posted, many people see an American victory in the gulf as a keystone event that will direct the course of world policy for decades to come. I think the writer suggested that it would be for the next century. I think that this is a stretch, very little survives that long. But as an American, I do think that the time has come to act. Oil has been used as a weapon against us repeatedly for most of my adult life. If we have the ability to bring an end to this leverage, then so be it.

As a side note, the region likes to speak of the outlaw nation of Israel. If Israel has no standing as a nation state, should we give the area back to the original owners? The Last government with legal title to the land? Well folks, that would totally screw the Palestinians, they have never had anything more than a mandate from the British Empire. The Last rulers were the Ottomans, the area was taken from them after the first experiment the Europeans had with modern warfare.

I for one have no particular love for Israel, but in a region of despotism and untruth, they are a beacon of light. They have withstood everything the Islamic world has thrown at them and punished the Arabs in the process. I do respect Israel for being able to preserver under imposable odds. I respect them for being a damn spunky little country. Where would appeasement and delay have gotten them in the past? Personally I see no solution for the Jews. One side or the other is going to have to make war so terrible that even the Islamic terror Groups will sue for peace. Only then will both sides be willing to make the needed compromises.