SO HOW DID JARADAT REALLY DIE AND DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

Arafat Jaradat died in Israeli custody that is an undeniable fact, but how he died, is where the truth may fall victim to convenience.

It's no mystery that Hamas and Fatah continue to struggle for the leadership position in the Palestinian statehood issue.

Waiting for an event such as the tragic death of this young man is something that Hamas is notoriously famous for taking advantage of.

Developing a scenario where Abbas once again appears to be incapable of protecting the Palestinian movement is the desire of Hamas.

As is often said in the world of politics, "never failed to take advantage of a good disaster"!

Is Hamas out to create open hostilities with the Israeli government?

Is this truly Hamas is attempted a third intifada?

Is a third intifada a Hamas tool of Abbas's downfall?

Are the Israelis doing whatever it takes to prevent the potential of a third intifada?

Is Hamas or Fatah capable of controlling the youthful violence of the Palestinians?

If the fears that Abbas could lose control, is there also a fear that even Hamas can gain control?

What is the purpose of trying to structure these protest other than the continuous one-upsmanship between Hamas and Fatah?

A few months ago, Mr Morsi attempted to take advantage of the youthful protest and he quickly found out how little control he truly had over the Egyptian people.

If Hamas and Fatah are not careful, they can learn the same lesson that the Egyptian leader did.

So, the underlying question seems to be is this event going to lead to a third intifada?

Fortunately, the answer to that question lies more with the Israeli leadership that it does the Palestinians.

Yes, this young man died in Israeli custody, but his death seems to be nothing more than a tool in the ongoing power struggle within the Palestinian movement; how pathetic!

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/02/2013224184142611721.html

A DISTURBANCE IN THE "FORCE"????

If Yoda was in charge of negotiations with the SNC, I think his commentary would have been "a disturbance in the force I feel"!

There are probably several academic level ways of discussing what this "pullout" from the pending negotiations is based upon, but the fact that it's Friday night and I'm not an academic, let's keep this real simple and even better short!

It's been fairly obvious for some time now that the so-called leaders in exile have very little in common with those individuals are actually fighting the battles street to street house to house in the major cities of Syria.

I find it very likely that these so-called leaders are beginning to understand the damage that will be done to their reputation and to their movement if it becomes more than obvious the fighters/rebels in Syria are not marching to the drum of a group of people drinking tea and sleeping comfortably air-conditioned buildings outside of Syria.

Is my belief the SNC or at least key members of it have decided they must begin to show some resistance to open allegiance to the "West"!

The issue of the casualties of Aleppo is a façade the SNC has decided to draw a line on.

If the SNC was "outraged" with the rest of world's response to the deaths and Aleppo, then this outrage should taken place a year and a half ago.

That's not the issue.

It is very possible many key members of the SNC are beginning to realize their only future and having anything to say in the new government of Syria will be based upon your acceptance and support of the true rebels fighting for serious freedom.

Long story short, the SNC's beginning to change sides based upon the simple act of survival.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/02/201322218202590207.html

WHAT IS HEZBOLLAH UP TO AND WHY?

As I continued to read the stories today about Hezbollah's actions in these villages along the Lebanese Syrian border, and became more and more concerned for what could really be taking place here.

As the attached article states, the territory in question is tactically and strategically and emotionally important Hezbollah.

Having said that, could there be more to the events are unfolding on Lebanese border?

To those that follow events in the region, let me pose a question.

What if............ what if Syria was attempting to open "second front" for the rebels to contend with?

Is there a possibility that the Syrian government and Iran are becoming desperate enough that the utilization of Hezbollah forces in the open has become a viable option?

I can assure you that Hezbollah  is a far more capable fighting force than the depleted and emotionally exhausted units of the Syrian military.

This week has seen the confirmation of far more advanced weapons going into the hands of the rebels and the impact of these weapons is being felt on a daily basis throughout Syria.

Some of last weeks and this weeks fighting in Damascus has resulted in the Syrian government beginning to truly realize that Damascus itself could fall or at best be divided in two.

In the tactics of conflict, is an absolute truth that enemy pulled into separate directions is far less capable than enemy allowed to concentrate on one objective.

Now, introducing Hezbollah forces in to this conflict without the world opinion blaming the Syrian government or  Hezbollah  leadership is a tricky procedure.

Realizing the aggressive nature of some of the more fanatical rebel organizations provides or potentially provides Syrian government with the "bait" that it needs for this operation.

Allowing the Shia Hezbollah forces to be seen simply defending defenseless Shia villagers from the fanatical rebels is obviously the picture the Syrian government would like to paint.

Once the reason for the conflict is established, the Hezbollah forces could dramatically change the battlefield environment for the rebel forces and this could be accomplished without an accusation of Iranian involvement.

Simply put, Hezbollah could be seen as the "protector" of Shia Lebanese citizens living on the border of Syria.

Everyone fully understands that this conflict could easily spiral out of control and spread even into Lebanon itself.

If the rebel forces are drawn into a sustaining conflict with well-organized, well-equipped and extremely capable Hezbollah units, then how effective with those same rebel units be in the siege of Damascus?

Am I grasping at straws here; perhaps!

As catastrophic is this concept might become, in the eyes of some opportunity could be knocking.

A Hezbollah force drawn into sustaining conflict with an ever more powerful rebels force with both sides being wrapped in sectarian conflict is an event that simply must deplete Hezbollah's capabilities to some degree.

But once again, the danger of such a plan on Iran and serious part is the territory where this conflict would take place.

If it is not the intention of Iran to draw Israel and to the conflict, than any operational actions by Hezbollah forces must be confined to area does not draw the anger of the IDF.

Okay, this theory may be a stretch, but the idea that this Sunni rebels are openly threatening to attack the Shia Hezbollah cannot be overlooked.

We also cannot ignore the reality that Hezbollah would never engage in such activities without guidance and even permission from the Iranians.

So, as you see, this is far more complex than a few villages along the Syrian Lebanese border.

Let's see what transpires in the next few days.

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/02/hezbollah-shiites-syria.html

IRAN CONTINUES TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE!!!!

So, once again of IAEA reports little to no progress in dealing with the Iranian government and on top of this Iran announces the installment of new and improved centrifuges.

Now I ask you, are these the actions of the nation that is truly trying to reconcile its differences with the rest of the world on its so-called peaceful nuclear development?

I think we all know the answer to that question to include the Iranian leadership.

Last I spoke of a tactic called "kicking the can down the road".

It somewhat of a cheap shot to criticize those nations trying to prevent Iranian nuclear weapons development of committing this act of kicking the can down the road, but sometimes it takes criticism to make leaders realize their current concepts are simply not working expiration point

The pending 5+1, whatever they call themselves now, meeting taking place at the end of February has little or no chance of producing anything but yet another version of kicking the can down the road.

There's only one problem with this can concept.

Just because one group the size kicking the can is somewhat of a acceptable form policy, that does not mean the nation that feels most threatened by the rainy and nuclear program and their foot to the can process!

The Israelis are much closer using your foot in another old-fashioned way that I simply won't comment on right now.

I've said it before and I will say it again, the Iranian leadership simply does not believe rest of the world is willing instigate an open conflict, at least not just yet.

If Iran truly believed that they were close to being attacked over there program, we would see physical indications inside their country that simply cannot be masked.

So, after this next round of talking and can kicking the question will become what is next?

Has anything really changed that would lead gave us to believe that the next round of   kick the can is not going to be the outcome?

As you read the attached article, pay close attention to the timeline the Iranians are achieving with these new machines and then ask yourself what was it that Netanyahu stated at the United Nations last year?

Remember the drawing of the fuse on the bomb!

Remember that the Pres. United States is traveling to Israel in the next few weeks.

But most of all, remember the simple fact that the Israelis will go alone if they must!

Time is not on the Iranian side!

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/diplomats-iran-starts-upgrade-nuclear-site

HEZBOLLAH.. THE FORCE THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH!!

First off, the concept that the EU nations are concerned over labeling has balls a terrorist organization for the sake of Lebanon borderlines on the ridiculous expiration point

I guess the theory that if the EU limits the funding for Hezbollah, then Hezbollah will make "trouble" for Lebanon and perhaps others!

Really?

This is the strategic thinking of nation states and the European Union?

So, in order to keep the bully happy, give him your lunch money and he will pick on anyone in the cafeteria.

The concept didn't work when we were in school and it won't work with Hezbollah!

If this is going to be the opinion, the official opinion, of the European Union than I would imagine all possibilities of the special tribunal on Lebanon\STL\coming to any true resolution is a pipe dream.

If we follow the European Union's thought process, then convicting Hezbollah members in the STL trials might once again "lead to the destabilization of Lebanon"!

Hezbollah is exactly what we all know it to be.

It is has been and will remain a proxy weapon of the Iranian government.

It is the specialized operations unit of the Shia movement that is exactly how the Sunnis and the rest of the world see them.

Backing up on Hezbollah simply will not work and I am very confident that the EU has heard this time and time again already.

As I commented on yesterday, increasing operations in plain view of the Hezbollah forces in Syria is a clear indication of how the organization intends to operate with the obvious impunity.

With the pending elections in Lebanon and Iran it appears most of the world is utterly unwilling to deal with the actions of the Iranian puppet known as Hezbollah.

Before the Hezbollah leadership finds comfort in the reluctance of the Western world, they need to remember not all nations in the region feel the same as Europe.

If Lebanon becomes a casualty of the Syrian conflict, and to some degree it already has, then those responsible will necessarily need the ones with guns in her hands.

Reluctance he is often the father of conflict.

I'll be the first to admit finding a comprehensive way to deal with the issue of Hezbollah terrorist and their apparent grip on the Lebanese government is a daunting task to say the least.

Is without question a dangerous thing to contemplate the neutralization process against Hezbollah.

Unfortunately the theory of "kicking the can down the street" at this moment in time is probably far more dangerous.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=303847

HEZBOLLAH MORE BOLD THAN EVER INSIDE SYRIA.

Is not earth shattering news that   Hezbollah operational on Syrian land.

Is not earth shattering news  Hezbollah is trying everything its powers to prevent rebel support coming from Lebanon; given the fact Hezbollah believes they own Lebanon!

Nevertheless, the openness of this series of assaults referred to in the two attached news articles is a noteworthy change in their tactics.

If someone does not believe that has balls actions or something out of the ordinary, they need only look at the reactions of the March 14 group.

Mentioning Hezbollah's activities in the GCC nations is the March 14 groups attempt to keep the broader picture of Hezbollah  operations in focus.

Mentioning the events of Hezbollah in Bulgaria is intended to have the same effect.

But, the fact of the matter is the recent activities by Hezbollah on the Syrian/Lebanese border are truly what has March 14 and those groups that support them, mainly Sunnis, upset.

Those that wish to support the rebels based in Lebanon understand all too well the first obstacle to overcome is the Lebanese-based Hezbollah.

The fact that these Hezbollah operations were coordinated with Syrian military members not go unnoticed with the Sunnis of Lebanon.

It is simply a worn-out statement when someone talks to the issue of potential conflict inside of Lebanon based on the destabilized events in Syria.

The fact of the matter is, there's been an undeclared hostile environment inside of Lebanon for well over a year.

The Lebanese military and the ruling government have tried to the best of their ability to appear in partial when in fact everyone knows the current Lebanese government's Pro Shia and thus pro-Syria.

The oil shipment protest this week speak to the truth when it comes to the current government of Lebanon and don't believe for a single minute that the Sunnis of Lebanon or Syria under estimate the true intent of the Lebanese government.

What does seem to be changing is the openness which the current leadership in Lebanon seems to be portraying.

Again, the issue of oil being sent to Syria is far more indicative of the degrading environment inside of Lebanon and most people realize.

It was one thing for the Lebanese government could claim impartiality as they attempted to keep peace in their nation.

Is quite another to openly be supporting Syria and yet be as unrealistic enough to imagine being perceived as "impartial" expiration point

Yes, Lebanon or at least Lebanon's current government is beginning to show their true hand and this will have repercussions for all the people Lebanon.

It's more than ironic that a government that openly pursues the perception of impartiality is now become so totally bias!

I have to really wonder if the current government Lebanon truly understands the repercussions and the pending elections at their current actions may have!

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Feb-19/207007-march-14-psp-slam-hezbollah-activities-in-syria.ashx#axzz2LG7lObS5

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21496735

NORTH KOREA AND IRAN... THE TOPIC COMES UP AGAIN!

Well, once again the topic of North Korea Iranian cooperation in a nuclear weapons program seems to surface in the media once again.

For anyone that has followed by opinions of actions in the Middle East, it will be more than aware of my suspicions.

Rumors upon rumors continue to unfold over the nuclear weapons test Iva North Koreans actually being conducted for the Iranian government.

The debate over the relationship between Iran and North Korea go on for an indefinite period of time, but it would not impact one simple fact.

That one simple fact is this; a weapon developed designed and assembled and North Korea would have virtually no chance of being shipped to Iran.

If we completely leave out the concept of a Western led intervention to such a shipment, we are still left with absolute reality of the Israelis never allowing such a transfer to take place matter what the cost.

Remember, is the IDF has flown combat missions in Africa to deny far less important weapons traffic movement.

If the Iranians are supporting and North Korean warhead development and even missile redevelopment, it will not leave them a functional weapon being transferred from one country to the other.

Now, it's easy to get lost in the technical guessing game of weapons development and nation state support each other in such development.

What continues to concern me is not the technical side of any possible relationship between North Korea and Iran.

As I stated before, I concern continues to be mutual "plan" that could be implemented by these two nations in support of each other in the time of a crisis!

Without running the risk of repeating myself, again, I would simply state the technical agreement is not really the issue at hand.

Concept of "mutual aid" is always been a complex issue at the international, political level.

An Iranian/North Korean mutual support agreement in time of crisis is a concept that still concerns me greatly.

These two nations continue to exemplify one of the oldest sayings nationstate conflict; "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"!

Rest of the world must avoid a classic case of not being a mother see the forest through the trees when it comes to the issue of technical support a nuclear weapons development between North Korea and Iran.

If these two nations truly have an agreement, the real question revolves around to what level of support this agreement speaks to?

To state that dealing with a North Korean conflict simultaneously with Iranian conflict would be more than challenging for the rest of the world is a dramatic understatement.

No one probably understands this better than the North Koreans and the Iranians.

So, whatever is taking place between Iran and North Korea, must be anticipated and planned for as quickly as possible.

Am I more convinced now that a simultaneous North Korean/Iranian conflict could take place sometime in the near future?

I'm not sure.

What I am sure of, is that two known enemies of the Western world are working together in both are ruled by a rational and highly dangerous leaders!

http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=303499