And the Middle East gets worse

[Joe 1320]

Great.......If this doesn't make things worse:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060715/...ZhBHNlYwM3MjE-

The crap pile is getting deeper. Pretty soon, a big time cleaning house is going to take place. Messing with Israel isn't too bright. They don't let political interferance stop them from striking back.

[wood]

Are we still helping Israel out alot? Maybe the reason they throw their weight around so much is because we have their back.

So if Iran is helping the Hezbollah out, is it safe to assume they would do the same for the Hamas and Al-Quaeda? If they are willing to fire a drone missle at a ship would they be so bold as to fire a nuclear missle? Iran was and might still be seeking nuclear technology correct? Alot of this stuff is pretty scary to think about.

Even since I was to young to really follow it close, people always sit there and connect the dots and look at world events that are happening and try to predict the end of the world, or WWIII or however you want to see it. I had a friend the other day write an article about it. My view is when it comes it comes, but it's pretty scary (if you believe in the bible) to think about the end of the world being described as fire and brimstone and then corralating that with nuclear holocost. Some people take the bible for it's word.. but maybe some of it is figurative.

[Dave M]

Great.......If this doesn't make things worse:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060715/...ZhBHNlYwM3MjE-

The crap pile is getting deeper. Pretty soon, a big time cleaning house is going to take place. Messing with Israel isn't too bright. They don't let political interferance stop them from striking back.

I'm too young to really remember the fighting between Isreal and the arab states of the past, so I don't know what that was like, but this really seems like it has the potential to blow up into a full-scale war involving many countries, us included. First Israel fights Lebanon, Iran and maybe other come to its aid and attack Israel. Because they are our allies, and we don't much like the other countries anyway, we have to come to the aid of Israel. This has the potential to spread like wildfire.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Are we still helping Israel out alot? Maybe the reason they throw their weight around so much is because we have their back.

Israel isn't being bold. They are taking care of business. They don't have the luxury of playing politics. They are surrounded by countries that have sworn to wipe them off the face of the map. Israel isn't thinking of what anybody else is thinking when they decide what to do. They don't need the US to kick any Arab countries behind. They have the 4th largest army in the world. They have a modern army, Navy and Air Force. They fly F15s and F16s. These other countries are saying how they nee to use restraint in their military actions. I assure you they are. They put 2 bombs right in the middle of the runway and left the terminal intact. That is restraint.

Think of this. Say Cuba sneaks some people into the US (that's easy to imagine) and kills 8 of our military men and kidnaps 2 more. And this isn't the first time they've done it. What would you want our government to do? So you go after Cuba. Within 24 hours they send several hundred missiles into the US. They swear on Cuban TV they have declared all out war on you. Would anyone expect the US to just stop? If other countries did do you think anyone in the US would care? I sure wouldn't. People need to look at this from their point of view. Hezbollah started this. Israel will finish it.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

They have the 4th largest army in the world. They have a modern army, Navy and Air Force. They fly F15s and F16s. Would anyone expect the US to just stop? If other countries did do you think anyone in the US would care? I sure wouldn't. People need to look at this from their point of view. Hezbollah started this. Israel will finish it.

I am with you on this, but you got to realize that Isreal has what we gave them. They ain't making F-16s in Jerusalem...

[Joe 1320]

Israel isn't being bold. They are taking care of business. They don't have the luxury of playing politics. They are surrounded by countries that have sworn to wipe them off the face of the map. Israel isn't thinking of what anybody else is thinking when they decide what to do. They don't need the US to kick any Arab countries behind. They have the 4th largest army in the world. They have a modern army, Navy and Air Force. They fly F15s and F16s. These other countries are saying how they nee to use restraint in their military actions. I assure you they are. They put 2 bombs right in the middle of the runway and left the terminal intact. That is restraint.

And you forgot to mention the American equipment also comes with American training. You hit the nail right on the head.

Hezbollah started this. Israel will finish it.

Yep. There is something to be said for a swift and decided response.

This has the potential to spread like wildfire.

This is exactly why it happened. The militants know that the more people they drag into the fray, the better their chances of wreaking havoc.

[wolfdogs]

Is real is bad......... once thier hair goes up......its all out.

[Black97]

They have the 4th largest army in the world.

I heard that on CNN. Hard to believe. By what size is it determined? Spending? Amount of soldiers, Equipment?

There's the US, Russia, China, North Korea, France, England and others. So it is hard to believe that they are forth. Be interessting to see any info on it.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

I heard that on CNN. Hard to believe. By what size is it determined? Spending? Amount of soldiers, Equipment?

There's the US, Russia, China, North Korea, France, England and others. So it is hard to believe that they are forth. Be interessting to see any info on it.

Well, in Isreal, I think everybody gets their turn to be in the army for a couple years. You get an entire population that can shoot Galils & Uzis

[ws6drbob]

If I can remember correctly I believe that EVERY male Israeli must serve in the military once they turn 17.

[Joe 1320]

If I can remember correctly I believe that EVERY male Israeli must serve in the military once they turn 17.

Correct. Every male is in for a minimum of three years. That means a crapload of "civilians" that could be called to active duty in short order.

[Black97]

You gotta do better than that. Here are some facts on Israel. http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/...k/geos/is.html


In Switerland where I grew up every male has to serve at least one year in the military between the age of 18 to 50. They can be ready within 24 hours if needed. Switzerland has more citizen than Israel. They bought F15 and F16's from the US and have the alternative to the Abrams M1 tank the German Leopard 2. Sure they don't have a navy but I don't think they rank as one of the larger army's.

So what gives?

[Black97]

Here's the link for the Swiss page. Note the army "manpower" is bigger than the ones for Israel.

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/...k/geos/sz.html

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I am with you on this, but you got to realize that Isreal has what we gave them. They ain't making F-16s in Jerusalem...

We didn't give it to them. They bought it. They actually buy from a lot of people. They used to fly Dassault Mirage 3s. They have a company called Israel Aircraft Industries that makes jets. They use GE engines. LOL

http://www.iaf.org.il/Templates/home...yId=25&lang=EN

[Nightrage]

If I can remember correctly I believe that EVERY male Israeli must serve in the military once they turn 17.

I think their females serve too. Also, I'm pretty sure that even after they serve their manditory year, they're basically on call for duty until their late 50's. That's basially the entire population of Israel ready and rarin' to go.