Middle East - An Update

July/30/06
The Middle East - An Update
We had detailed in the posting of 7/16 Iran’s complicity as the foundation of the current conflict. Indeed, Hezbollah’s surprising (at least to the West) display of armaments is the result primarily of generosity from Iran and secondarily of the support from Syria by allowing these shipments to pass through its territory. Similarly, the improved ability of Hezbollah fighters again is due to the sponsorship of these two countries. From the Iranian leadership especially, their willingness to export violence through various proxies surpasses earlier estimates. And this in turn supports those who look to contain Ahmedinejad’s nuclear ambitions. Instead of conventionally armed rockets, might the next transfer be nuclear?
So on its face, most observers agree and history supports the notion that Hezbollah must be totally incapacitated; anything less to be a wasted effort. Next, Lebanon must somehow be resuscitated so that it can regain control of its territory. Finally and as always what is needed - genuine reform at home. But sub-surface, that which is key, that which has been telegraphed clearly to all but the willfully blind is that the threat posed by Iran has expanded, its endeavor to export violence against the West apparently more zealous, more relentless, more successful than earlier understood.

Bob Craven