War in Lebanon
The news out of Lebanon seems to follow the usualy pattern. Reports on the ground of shelling, rocket fire and some ground fighting, but no discernible pattern of broad strategy. There are some developments:

• Israel has hinted that it might be willing to accept a Hezbollah-free zone on its border as a condition for a cease-fire.


• Israel, in an apparent accident, shelled a UN position killing four peacekeepers. Israeli PM Olmert expressed regret and vowed an investigation. Koffi Anna predictably accused Israel of doing it intentionally. (Mr. Annan must have fogotten about how UN peacekeepers intentionally accepted bribes from Hezbollah and actively assisted in the kidnapping of several Israeli soldiers and how the UN intentionally withheld evidence of its involvement).


• Cease-fire negotiations in Rome have not led to any agreement. Meanwhile Israel has conceded that it plans on fighting for at least several more weeks while Hezbollah has threatened to fire longer-range missiles into Israeli territory.


• Ground fighting in south Lebanon has ben ugly, with Israel suffering at least 14 casualties. Hezbollah continues to use homes and mosques as bases of operations.

Base10 once again hopes for peace, but only if it solves the long-term problems there.
- posted by Base10 @ 2:05 PM