Hamas attacking Israel

[Optimist Prime]

1 hour ago, Bob Long said:

 

I'm considering getting more involved as I wind my way out of consulting, not sure what the party is looking for tho, I'm not really much for door knocking.

heh, me either or phone banking, lol. I suggest reaching our to your local EDA, electoral district association, it all starts at the grass roots. Being a consultant on geopolitical affairs myself, from time to time, I think you may have more important skills to donate than being yelled at by homeowners on their porch.

[Canuck Surfer]

16 hours ago, Canuck Surfer said:

 

That is just new (ish). A most recent conflict anyway since the Arab Spring? To the profit of dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh for decades prior. Houthis first impoverished then ally for him strategically. Saleh an ally for the US in George Bush's war on terror and against Iran when the Shah was deposed. Then deposed by the Houthi's with a shifting allegiance to Iran themselves during upheaval.   

 

https://www.csis.org/analysis/saleh-and-war-yemen

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Few are likely to mourn the assassination of Yemen's former dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh. His rule over Yemen presided over decades of failure to deal with his country's desperate levels of poverty and its steadily growing problems with overpopulation, a lack of water, and a dependence on Qat—a drug so unrewarding that the only country that would import it was the even poorer nation of Somalia.

 

The UN warned as early as 2002 that Yemen was one of several Arab states whose population growth and economic problems were critical. Its population had already increased from 4.8 million in 1950 to 23.9 million in 2011. It is 28 million today and will rise to 46 million by 2050. Saleh did nothing meaningful to address this population growth or its impacts.

 

Long before the war, Yemen was critically dependent on food imports and foreign remittances. It was rapidly depleting its fossil water, was underfunding education and medical services, had critical unemployment problems, and had one of the lowest per capita incomes in the world.

 

Moreover, Saleh's failures to govern left Yemen vulnerable to Al Qaida and ISIS, led to serious tension and some fighting between his government and the Yemenis who were part of the former separate state of South Yemen, and laid the ground work for much of the misery in Yemen.

 

As for Saleh, he already was largely a spent force when he was killed. He had given up power in 2011, and then tried to recover it by shifting from an alliance with the Saudis to one with the Iranian-backed Houthi. He was outmaneuvered by the Houthi, however, and they steadily gained power relative to Saleh and the remnants of Yemen's military forces who remained loyal to him. A man who had once kept power by the kind of political maneuvering that he described as "dancing on the head of snakes," now found the snakes dancing on him.

 

The end result was that Saleh's alliance with the Houthi collapsed. The Saleh faction and Houthis began to fight, and Saleh turned back to the Saudis and UAE. This seemed to offer some hope that the civil war in Yemen could be resolved, but it was the Houthis that were winning, and the Houthis that killed him. Unless his surviving supporters are much stronger than now seems likely, the end result has left the Houthis without any strong internal challenges in the region they control and locked into the same grinding war of attrition with the Saudis and UAE that they have been fighting for months.

 

If there is any tragedy in Saleh's death, it is that it will make it even harder to put an end to the conflict and negotiate a meaningful settlement. This is a remarkably brutal war, and one where both sides have had a major impact in putting civilians at risk.

 

There has been a tendency to blame Saudi Arabia and the UAE—the backers of the Hadi government recognized by the UN and most outside states except Iran—for Yemen's current level of suffering. Some of this blame is legitimate. Saudi Arabia and the UAE did launch an air and land campaign that made far too optimistic assumptions about the effectiveness of air power and the limited use of Saudi and UAE land forces. This campaign did score some initial victories, but for months, the result has been a stalemate on the land.

 

As a result, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have focused on the use of air power. However, their air attacks have not yet dramatically altered the course of the fighting. What they have produced is serious civilian casualties and collateral damage, and Saudi and UAE efforts to seal off the few major ports open to the Houthis—who control key portions of the most populated areas of the country—have made things worse. A lack of food, medicine, and other critical supplies has sharply increased civilian suffering and disease.

 

At the same time, these impacts must be kept in perspective. Saleh's death makes it even more important to properly assign the blame and put pressure on both sides to resolve the conflict. Yemen was an economic basket case before the air campaign and embargo with extreme poverty, poor medical and education facilities, and serious malnutrition problems. The Hadi government was at least nominally elected—albeit in a one-candidate election—and had broad international recognition.

 

The Houthis have done much to divide Yemen along sectarian and regional lines, have been closely linked to Iran, and have done little to either show they can govern effectively or make any coherent efforts to negotiate. They have been all too willing to keep fighting regardless of the human consequences. They have not shown they have any plans or capabilities to govern in ways than can help Yemen develop or break out of its grind cycle of growing poverty, or that they offer Yemen any credible future if they win.

 

It also makes little sense to blame the Saudis and the UAE for the bulk of the casualties in fighting when there are no credible sources of such casualty estimates, and some estimates only attempt to guess at the casualties coming from the air (without seriously trying to estimate the impact of the fighting on the ground).

 

War is inherently brutal, and stalemates and embargoes do immense damage to the civilian economy over time. But, this is a two-sided war, and putting excessive blame on one side seems more likely to extend the conflict by reducing the incentive to negotiate. Far too much reporting on the air war seems to ignore the actual ways in which the Saudis and UAE actually manage the air war.

 

A visit to the Saudi command center in Riyadh is almost like visiting the U.S. Combined Air Command Center in Qatar. The Saudis, UAE, and other Arab air forces use virtually the same targeting tactics and rules of engagement to limit civilian casualties from air strikes as the U.S. and its allies use in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The Saudi command also uses the same advanced command and control displays to warn where civilians are present, to limit strikes on civilian facilities, and to place the same emphasis on precision strikes and the careful review of strike plans—as well as damage assessment.

 

The key difference between the wars is that the Saudis and UAE are far more dependent on airpower, while the U.S. could rely on Iraqi and Afghan ground forces for a major part of the fighting. This does mean that Saudi and UAE air attacks inflict a larger portion of the total civilian casualties and collateral damage.

 

Yet, the Houthi unwillingness to negotiate and determination to prolong the war is equally destructive. Any valid analysis of the air war also needs to address the fact that the Houthis use tactics that rely heavily on human shields, and use exaggerated claims of civil casualties as a key propaganda weapons. It needs to take a hard look at how the Houthis deal with governance, the management of their resources, and allocation of aid. And, it needs to take a hard look at the role of Iran as it seeks influence over Yemen, in providing missiles and arms, and supporting another war that does so much human damage.

 

Most important, Saleh's death is a warning that both sides can keep fighting indefinitely. In this war, it is unclear that either side can hope to quickly win by defeating the other. Unless both sides can be persuaded to negotiate, what is clear is that the losers will be the Yemeni people.

 

 

Incarnations of such militant leaders has never stopped. History not kind to its masses. Fought over by feudal & colonial powers, empires, marauders. Slave trading amongst its legacies. Herding slaves itself not a well paying job? A commodity moving through its ports due to location.          

 

[HarbularyBattery]

On 7/20/2024 at 9:07 PM, Optimist Prime said:

I am with you there, even if it doesn't come from defence: i have been pushing for 6 years now to get my paper on Guaranteed Living Income for Seniors in Poverty past the convention floor and into Government order papers for voting as a bill.

 

Last two times I got to the convention floor and first time was combined with another paper and then defeated, last time it was voted in by the delegates but not yet proferred as a party platform plank in an election: but i suspect 2025 it may be there.

 

In Canada at least, only 3.5 billion more will erase Senior Citizen poverty, yet every voter/taxpayer who doesn't have to resort to cat food casaroles to stretch their pension income will say its too expensive and they don't want to pay for it. (yes i did meet an old lady who did exactly that cuz a tin of Cat tuna was 40 cents versus 4 dollars for human grade)

 

 

 

This is great work youre doing. 

[Canuck Surfer]

 

[Canuck Surfer]

There is some very deep division between Hamas & Fatah (Palestinian Authority). 

 

Example; Hamas rejected the Oslo Accord attempting to bring peace and a possible two state solution signed by the PA.  Started dropping PA politicians out of windows.

 

The Chinese reckon they have these guys united so Palestine can unite for a peace deal with Israel now? My sense is Israel will not sign a deal with Palestinians if Hamas is afforded a major role.

 

 

[Canuck Surfer]

 

[Canuck Surfer]

 

[Sabrefan1]

 

[RWMc1]

 

[SilentSam]

Came up in my news feed,

 

Deserves to be seen …

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SilentSam]

Today
 

[SilentSam]

Any immigrant to a new country takes an oath to abide by the laws of the Country they have come to .

 

If you break the law,.   You should be dropped out of an airplane by parachute back into the Country you came from .

 

it’s simple .

 

FK off 

 

 

[RWMc1]

8 minutes ago, SilentSam said:

Any immigrant to a new country takes an oath to abide by the laws of the Country they have come to .

 

If you break the law,.   You should be dropped out of an airplane by parachute back into the Country you came from .

 

it’s simple .

 

FK off 

 

 

 

Well that's sickening.

 

This reminds me of the free dumb convoy desecrating the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Terry Fox statue.

[Bob Long]

25 minutes ago, SilentSam said:

Any immigrant to a new country takes an oath to abide by the laws of the Country they have come to .

 

If you break the law,.   You should be dropped out of an airplane by parachute back into the Country you came from .

 

it’s simple .

 

FK off 

 

 

 

They've crossed over into the same mentality as the dumb dumbs at Stonehenge. Way to turn people away from your cause 

[SilentSam]

1 hour ago, Bob Long said:

 

They've crossed over into the same mentality as the dumb dumbs at Stonehenge. Way to turn people away from your cause 

 

1 hour ago, RWMc1 said:

 

Well that's sickening.

 

This reminds me of the free dumb convoy desecrating the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Terry Fox statue.

 

This , I hope where Facial Recognition on surveillance video works well and apprehends, convicts ,  and deports those who can be swiftly,  without appeal.

 

 

 

GaZa will has to be deconstructed ,

Hamas sent to oblivion ..

 

and then re-build.

I don’t think these last 2 generations of Palestine know their own identity,  

because they grew up inside a Terroristic / Radicalized Regime that owned its borders and them selves.

Edited July 25 by SilentSam

[Elias Pettersson]

5 hours ago, SilentSam said:

Any immigrant to a new country takes an oath to abide by the laws of the Country they have come to .

 

If you break the law,.   You should be dropped out of an airplane by parachute back into the Country you came from .

 

it’s simple .

 

FK off 

 

 

 

Why aren't those scum being arrested and deported?  What the fuck is wrong with the US government right now?

[Elias Pettersson]

Imagine burning the American flag, in America, in front of the Union Station in Washington, DC.  And not getting arrested.  I don't think I've ever seen anything so bizarre and fucked up in my entire life...

 

More insanity...

 

 

[RomanPer]

8 hours ago, Elias Pettersson said:

Imagine burning the American flag, in America, in front of the Union Station in Washington, DC.  And not getting arrested.  I don't think I've ever seen anything so bizarre and fucked up in my entire life...

 

More insanity...

 

 

 

Unfortunately, burning the US flag has been protected by 1st amendment and upheld by the Supreme Court (freedom of speech). As for not arresting for vandalism - it's primarily due to Washington, DC being a weird place with most of the places being under federal jurisdiction. Which means, local police has no jurisdiction to arrest for any crime committed on the federal ground. The only hope is the facial recognition.

[Taxi]

On 7/24/2024 at 8:17 AM, SilentSam said:

Came up in my news feed,

 

Deserves to be seen …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hamas' tactic has always been to increase the death toll of Palestinians. Their survival depends on painting Israel as a genocidal group of vicious murderers. The only way they can do that is to ensure their own civilians, particularly children are killed. They have a severe military disadvantage, so I get why they can't fight in the open, but they also seem to do things that cause extra harm to Palestinian civilians whenever possible. For example, can't just keep a hostage anywhere or in a hidden tunnel. It has to be in the home of a doctor with as many civilians around as possible. Can't just have military bases in the civilian population, it has to be in a school or hospital. 

 

Israel avoided all out war before October 7, as they knew it would have a devastating affect on the population. So Hamas' biggest weapon is to use Israel reluctance to killing civilians and the anti-Israel's crowds condemnation of Israel every time a civilian dies against Israel. 

[Canuck Surfer]

 

[Canuck Surfer]

I posted this in the Ukraine thread.  It is more about Russia vs US & the West than Israel / Palestine.  Well?  Framing Russia's position as legitimate in Ukraine under the guise of it being an issue of the US flexing its powers.  It does start by mentioning Trump endorsing Israel's annexation of the Golan heights.

 

Which is ''illegal'' even if done under the pretense of security. Again framing their own position in Ukraine as security.

 

If this was not spewed by Lavrov & Russia I would have thought it a good speech.

 

 

[Canuck Surfer]

''The war is not a binary issue.''

 

 

[Canuck Surfer]

 

[Canuck Surfer]

 

[SuchaNuxtalgia]

Could take perhaps a half-decade, but imagine eventually all will settle upon a 2-state solution.