Iran Missile Hits Israelis, U.A.V. Pioneers

Defense Tech: Iran Missile Drone Bomb Hits Israelis, U.A.V. Pioneers: "Bill Roggio is now throwing cold water on the missile theory. 'The use of a ground based anti-ship missile system in these attacks, while certainly a possibility, is unlikely as the characteristics of this system would certainly have been detected by the Israeli Defense Forces,' he writes. 'A UAV launched missile system, on the other hand, would be a more stealthy system. The UAVs are difficult to detect as they can fly in below radar, [and] can be flown by remote visual methods.'

...

Hezbollah has flown simple 'Misrad-1' unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, twice before, in November 2004 and April 2005. But those were reconnaissance flights, last just a couple of minutes each. And the drones were spotted fairly quickly, both times.

But, as Defense Tech noted in the Spring, the UAV had the potential to be much, much worse -- 'a suicide bomber on steroids, basically.'

...

For years, the Israeli military was the world's leader in unmanned aviation. During the first Gulf War, Iraqi troops surrendered to Israel-made, American-run Pioneer UAVs. U.S. Army drone mechanics had to learn Hebrew, to repair their Israeli drones."

(Via a DefenseTech.)

Defense Tech: Arabs to Hezbollah: Up Yours

Defense Tech: Arabs to Hezbollah: Up Yours: "The more fundamental issue is this: Israel withdrew from Lebanon in order to escape low-intensity conflict. If Hezbollah is now going to impose low-intensity conflict on Israel's border, the rationale for withdrawal disappears. It is better for Israel to fight deep in Lebanon than inside Israel. If the rockets are going to fall in Israel proper, then moving into a forward posture has no cost to Israel."

Note:It appears Syria's already supporting Hezbollah.

(Via a DefenseTech.)

Israel targets Hezbollah chief in Beirut attack

Israel targets Hezbollah chief in Beirut attack: "Police said nine people were killed on Friday, bringing to 66 the death toll in Lebanon since Israel unleashed what the military has called 'Operation Just Reward.'

'It's sparing nobody, in no area of Lebanon. Actually it is cutting the country into pieces, whereby more than 20 bridges in the country have been destroyed,' Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora told CNN.

Army chief Dan Halutz warned that Israel would continue to strike Hezbollah and other infrastructure targets in Lebanon.

'Lebanon is paying a very heavy price because of Hezbollah: bridges, roads and airports destroyed -- and it could yet be deprived of other infrastructure,' he said.

In one of the strongest statements from a world leader on the conflict, President Jacques Chirac of France, the former colonial power in Lebanon, said Israel appeared to 'wish to destroy' Lebanon."

(Via Martini Republic.)

U.S. stands alone in defending Israel

U.S. stands alone in defending Israel - Nightly News with Brian Williams - MSNBC.com:"In fact, diplomatic sources tell NBC that Israel has been looking for an excuse to clean out Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon after weeks of rocket attacks into Israel.

(Via Martini Republic.)

Important overlooked news on latest Hezbollah attacks

Counterterrorism Blog: Important overlooked news on latest Hezbollah attacks: "2- For the first time, Israel mentioned the possible intervention of Iranian Revolutionary Guards based in Lebanon in the war. The danger is that they have long range rockets capable of travelling more than 200 kms and reach Tel Aviv.

3- That's why Yossi Peled, ex Israeli Commander of the Northern area, stated to Yediot Aharonot: ' Tsahal's mission is today to strike at Hezbollah with such force that the movement won't survive. Even though Iran is hiding behind Hezbollah, we must focus on the immediate threats against Israel. And those are coming from Hezbollah, Lebanon and Syria.'

4- The Hezbollah action was most probably coordinated with Hamas, Iran and Syria. The recent meetings in Damascus and Tehran between all the parties involved is a clear sign of that careful planning. A Hamas leader based in Lebanon, Osama Hamdane, stated that the nature of the relation betwen Hamas and Hezbollah leads to mutual understanding and coordination."

(Via a DefenseTech.)

Reuters AlertNet - Vatican condemns Israel for attacks on Lebanon

Vatican condemns Israel for attacks on Lebanon: "The Vatican on Friday strongly deplored Israel's strikes on Lebanon, saying they were 'an attack' on a sovereign and free nation.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano said Pope Benedict and his aides were very worried that the developments in the Middle East risked degenerating into 'a conflict with international repercussions.'"

(Via Martini Republic.)

Britain sends warships to Middle East Aljazeera.Net - Britain sends warships to Middle East

Aljazeera.Net - Britain sends warships to Middle East: "Britain will be sending two ships to the Middle East as part of contingency plans to protect its interests as Israel's land, sea and air offensive against Lebanon continues, officials said Saturday."

(Via Aljazeera.)

Bush Blocks WTO Entry for Russia

Bush Blocks WTO Entry for Russia: "In a chilly summit prelude, President Bush blocked Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization on Saturday and President Vladimir Putin mockingly said Moscow doesn't want the kind of violence-plagued democracy the United States has fostered in Iraq.

Alternately joking and poking at each other, the two also showed differences at a news conference on the explosion of violence in the Mideast.

Bush held Israel blameless for its punishing attacks in Lebanon and said it was up to the militant group Hezbollah to lay down its arms. Putin was critical of Israel's use of force and said the violence 'should stop as soon as possible.'"

(Via Salon.)

Missile, Not Drone, Hit Israeli Warship

Salon.com | News Wires: "A missile fired by Hezbollah, not an unmanned drone laden with explosives, damaged an Israeli warship off Lebanon, the army said Saturday.

The attack late Friday alarmed Israel because initial information indicated the guerrillas had used a drone for the first time to attack Israeli forces.

But the army's investigation showed that Hezbollah had fired an Iranian-made missile at the vessel from the shores of Lebanon, said Brig. Gen. Ido Nehushtan."

(Via Salon.)

Israel and the Doctrine of Proportionality - Council on Foreign Relations

Israel and the Doctrine of Proportionality - Council on Foreign Relations:

"What is the doctrine of proportionality?

The doctrine originated with the 1907 Hague Conventions, which govern the laws of war, and was later codified in Article 49 of the International Law Commission's 1980 Draft Articles on State Responsibility (PDF). The doctrine is also referred to indirectly in the 1977 Additional Protocols of the Geneva Conventions. Regardless of whether states are party to the treaties above, experts say the principle is part of what is known as customary international law. According to the doctrine, a state is legally allowed to unilaterally defend itself and right a wrong provided the response is proportional to the injury suffered. The response must also be immediate and necessary, refrain from targeting civilians, and require only enough force to reinstate the status quo ante. That said, experts say the proportionality principle is open to interpretation and depends on the context. 'It's always a subjective test,' says Michael Newton, associate clinical professor of law at Vanderbilt University Law School. 'But if someone punches you in the nose, you don't burn their house down.'

How does the doctrine apply to the current context in Israel?

Many legal experts say Israel's response to the recent abductions has not upheld the principle of proportionality and violates international humanitarian law."

(Via GlobalSecurity.org.)

Israel crisis hits world markets

Israel crisis hits world markets: "Meanwhile, reports of two explosions at a pipeline run by Italy's Agip in Nigeria added to investor worries.

The Italian firm denied that the blasts in Nigeria's Bayelsa state were the result of sabotage.

However, the incident comes as almost a quarter of normal oil output in Africa's largest oil producer has been shut down because of rebel attacks.

'Geopolitical risk is out of control,' said Mitsubishi risk manager Tony Nunan. 'There's a pipeline attack in Nigeria, Israel is taking a strong stance and that's adding fuel to the fire.'"

(Via BBC News.)

Israel Says Hezbollah Drone Damages Warship

Israel Says Hezbollah Drone Damages Warship: "An unmanned Hezbollah aircraft rigged with explosives slammed into an Israeli warship late Friday, causing heavy damage to the vessel, military officials said.

The attack indicated that Hezbollah has added a new weapon to the arsenal of rockets and mortars it has used against Israeli troops.

The army said the warship suffered severe damage and several hours after the attack, was still on fire as it headed back to Israel. There was no word on casualties, though the Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera reported the Israeli military was searching for four missing sailors after the ship was hit by a rocket."

(Via Salon.)

Fourth Generation Warfare

Fourth Generation Warfare: "As important as finding and destroying the actual combatants, for example, is drying up the bases of popular support that allow them to recruit for, plan, and execute their attacks.  Perhaps most odd of all, being seen as too successful militarily may create a backlash, making the opponent's other elements of 4GW more effective."

(Via Network-Centric Advocacy.)

Moving the goalposts in the mid-east

Martini Republic » Moving the goalposts in the mid-east: "The crisis seems to have taken people by surprise at this point. Suddenly people wake up this morning and they hear that rockets are being fired and strategic sites bombed. Now the US has used its veto to protect Israel in the UN and Israel and Hezbollah have both redoubled their attacks.

We doubt if people have had time to put their arms around the situation yet.

There are two points for all to remember:

• This is a time when, as was said in the LATimes today, radicals are on the move in the near east, and moderates are nowhere to be found.
• The US has largely ignored the crisis to date because it’s been so preoccupied managing other crises."

(Via Martini Republic.)

"Hezbollah's Strategic Rocket Arsenal" (November-December 2002)

"Hezbollah's Strategic Rocket Arsenal" (November-December 2002): "Notwithstanding Nasrallah's wishful claims, most of Hezbollah's arsenal consists of old stand-byes (albeit in unprecedented numbers): 122mm Katyushas with a range of 12 miles (20 km) and 107mm Katyushas with a range of 5 miles (8 km). However, it also includes several hundred 240-mm Fajr-3 rockets and 333-mm Fajr-5 rockets.

The Fajr-3, with a range of 25 miles (40 km), and the Fajr-5, with a range of range of 45 miles (72 km), each carry a 200-lb warhead and can be launched from vehicles, making them relatively easy to move and conceal. The Fajr-5 would allow Hezbollah to hit targets south of Haifa, a range that covers about a third of Israel's population, around half of its industry, and its main oil refinery. Some Israeli analysts believe that the Fajr-5 may have some form of rudimentary guidance capability. Both the Fajr-3 and the Fajr-5 would likely evade Israel's Tactical High-Energy Laser (THEL), currently under development, which is designed to intercept projectiles with a range of 5-7 miles (8-11 km)."

Note: A quick check on Google Earth puts the distance between Janin and Haifa at about 30 miles.

(Via Middle East Intelligence Bulletin.)

Hezbollah fires rockets at Haifa

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Hezbollah fires rockets at Haifa: "Haifa, Israel's third largest city, is situated more than 30km (18 miles) from the Lebanese border and was thought to be out of Hezbollah's range.

The attack comes as Israel imposes an air and sea blockade on Lebanon, following the capture of two of its soldiers by the militant group."

(Via BBC News.)

Lebanon seeks Israeli ceasefire

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Lebanon seeks Israeli ceasefire: "Lebanese ministers have called for a ceasefire with Israel, saying that all means should be used to end 'open aggression' against their country.

International calls for restraint are growing, with Russia, France and the EU saying Israel's response to the capture of two soldiers was disproportionate.

Meanwhile Israeli jets bombed the main Lebanese army air base in Bekaa Valley.

Israel is imposing an air and sea blockade on Lebanon following the two soldiers' capture by Hezbollah."

(Via BBC News.)

Iraq province power transferred

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iraq province power transferred: "Britain has handed over responsibility for security in one of Iraq's 18 provinces to local forces for the first time since the country was invaded.

An agreement transferring power in Muthanna was signed by Major General John Cooper, who commands coalition forces in southern Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who was present, said the handover 'will bring happiness to all Iraqis'.

It ends the long-term presence of coalition troops in the province."

(Via BBC News.)

Atrocities...

Atrocities...: "In the news they're estimating her age to be around 24, but Iraqis from the area say she was only 14. Fourteen. Imagine your 14-year-old sister or your 14-year-old daughter. Imagine her being gang-raped by a group of psychopaths and then the girl was killed and her body burned to cover up the rape. Finally, her parents and her five-year-old sister were also killed. Hail the American heroes... Raise your heads high supporters of the 'liberation' - your troops have made you proud today. I don't believe the troops should be tried in American courts. I believe they should be handed over to the people in the area and only then will justice be properly served. And our ass of a PM, Nouri Al-Maliki, is requesting an 'independent investigation', ensconced safely in his American guarded compound because it wasn't his daughter or sister who was raped, probably tortured and killed. His family is abroad safe from the hands of furious Iraqis and psychotic American troops.

It fills me with rage to hear about it and read about it. The pity I once had for foreign troops in Iraq is gone. It's been eradicated by the atrocities in Abu Ghraib, the deaths in Haditha and the latest news of rapes and killings. I look at them in their armored vehicles and to be honest- I can't bring myself to care whether they are 19 or 39. I can't bring myself to care if they make it back home alive. I can't bring myself to care anymore about the wife or parents or children they left behind. I can't bring myself to care because it's difficult to see beyond the horrors. I look at them and wonder just how many innocents they killed and how many more they'll kill before they go home. How many more young Iraqi girls will they rape?"

(Via Baghdad Burning.)

AlterNet: Blogs: The Mix

AlterNet: Blogs: The Mix: "Like a snotty privileged kid who won't listen to the teacher immediately after being told to let the other kid out of the headlock, the administration finally got around to changing its Gitmo policy.

All US military detainees, including those at Guantanamo Bay, are to be treated in line with the minimum standards of the Geneva Conventions.

I don't mean we should be complacent or satisfied or anything like that; we all know the president and Republican congress will try another end run around the American judicial system. But for just a moment be happy that some part of the system, somewhere, worked and that valuable synapses within the administration's brain will be devoted to this."

(Via AlterNet.)

A Racist Slur at the World Cup?

AlterNet: A Racist Slur at the World Cup?: "Right now, we do not know beyond a shadow of a doubt what was said but all the circumstantial evidence points at least toward a variant of SOS Racisme's claim. Zissou is the son of Algerian immigrants who has sparred verbally with Europe's far-right political machine for more than a decade. He is an outspoken anti-racist on a team that has defined itself by its multiculturalism and stubborn insistence to stand up against bigotry both inside and outside the sport. Materazzi on the other hand, will be playing this year for the Italian team Lazio, where his father was the former coach. Lazio's fan club, The Ultras, are notorious for their Fascist-friendly politics. Lazio's hardcore Ultras, known as the 'Irriducibili,' have members in Italy's extra-parliamentary far right and try to use the club to recruit. The group has frequently uses racist and anti-Semitic banners, one time hanging a 50-foot banner that said their opponents were a 'team of niggers.'

It's wrong to taint Materazzi for the actions of Lazio's fans, but there is more. Earlier this season in a match that pitted Messina against Inter in Sicily, Messina's star African player Marc Zoro famously picked up the ball and walked off the pitch in protest of the monkey chants rained upon him by Inter supporters. In a stirring act of solidarity, many of the Inter players immediately showed support for Zoro's actions. But one opponent yelled, 'Stop that, Zoro, you're just trying to make a name for yourself.' That opponent's name was Marco Materazzi."

(Via AlterNet.)

Rethinking Embattled Tactics in Terror War

Rethinking Embattled Tactics in Terror War: "Accustomed to having its way on matters related to the nation's security, the administration is being forced to respond to criticism that it once brushed aside. The high court ruling rejected the White House's assertion that the president has nearly unlimited executive powers during a time of war, and now executive branch lawyers are reviewing whether other rules adopted after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon will have to be revised, especially those concerning the Geneva Conventions.

...

'The Bush doctrine of 'trust us' is being questioned by the courts, Congress and the country, which is insisting on changing and strengthening their involvement,' said former congressman Timothy J. Roemer (D-Ind.), a member of the independent commission that studied the Sept. 11 attacks."

(Via Martini Republic.)