Brant
July 17th, 2006,
BAGHDAD AND CAIRO With Israel's confrontation with Hizbullah and Lebanon lurching closer to all-out war, winds of anger are blowing through the Middle East that are likely to strengthen the political hand of radical Islamists from Egypt to Saudi Arabia.
Since the fighting began, at least 24 Israelis, 12 of them civilians, have been killed and at least 175 Lebanese, nearly all civilians. In recent weeks, about 200 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in a separate showdown between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group who won power in elections earlier this year.
The confrontation - coupled with the rising civilian toll - also poses a serious threat to US interests in the region.
Islamists who are hostile to Israel and the US - and to their Arab allies who have criticized Hizbullah - are shoring up support, increasing the chances they will seize power if the elections President Bush has urged for the region take place.
Full HTML version of this story which may include photos, graphics, and related links (http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0718/p01s03-wome.html)
Dicussion: This story is likely to cary on through this week, and maybe even months. For me, I felt like Lebanon and Israel were just starting to make things work and turn the corner towards peace. What's at the heart of this evil nasty violence? Why is this happening again (other than the phrase about history repeating itself).
(http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0718/p01s03-wome.html)
Since the fighting began, at least 24 Israelis, 12 of them civilians, have been killed and at least 175 Lebanese, nearly all civilians. In recent weeks, about 200 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in a separate showdown between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group who won power in elections earlier this year.
The confrontation - coupled with the rising civilian toll - also poses a serious threat to US interests in the region.
Islamists who are hostile to Israel and the US - and to their Arab allies who have criticized Hizbullah - are shoring up support, increasing the chances they will seize power if the elections President Bush has urged for the region take place.
Full HTML version of this story which may include photos, graphics, and related links (http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0718/p01s03-wome.html)
Dicussion: This story is likely to cary on through this week, and maybe even months. For me, I felt like Lebanon and Israel were just starting to make things work and turn the corner towards peace. What's at the heart of this evil nasty violence? Why is this happening again (other than the phrase about history repeating itself).
(http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0718/p01s03-wome.html)