Britain faces no serious threat, yet keeps waging war. While big defence exists, glory-hungry politicians will use it

By Simon Jenkins*

NATO airstrike in Tripoli, Libya. AP

Last week we got a glimpse of an answer and it was not nice. The outgoing US defence secretary, Robert Gates, berated Europe's "failure of political will" in not maintaining defence spending. He said Nato had declined into a "two-tier alliance" between those willing to wage war and those "who specialise in 'soft' humanitarian, development, peacekeeping and talking tasks". Peace, he implied, is for wimps. Real men buy bombs, and drop them.

This call was echoed by Nato's chief, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who pointed out how unfair it was that US defence investment represented 75% of the Nato defence expenditure, where once it was only half. Having been forced to extend his war on Libya by another three months, Rasmussen wanted to see Europe's governments come up with more money, and no nonsense about recession. Defence to him is measured not in security but in spending.

The call was repeated back home by the navy chief, Sir Mark Stanhope. He had to be "dressed down" by the prime minister, David Cameron, for warning that an extended war in Libya would mean "challenging decisions about priorities". Sailors never talk straight: he meant more ships. The navy has used so many of its £500,000 Tomahawk missiles trying to hit Colonel Gaddafi (and missing) over the past month that it needs money for more. In a clearly co-ordinated lobby, the head of the RAF also demanded "a significant uplift in spending after 2015, if the service is to meet its commitments". It, of course, defines its commitments itself.

Libya has cost Britain £100m so far, and rising. But Iraq and the Afghan war are costing America $3bn a week, and there is scarcely an industry, or a state, in the country that does not see some of this money. These wars show no signs of being ended, let alone won. But to the defence lobby what matters is the money. It sustains combat by constantly promising success and inducing politicians and journalists to see "more enemy dead", "a glimmer of hope" and "a corner about to be turned".

Victory will come, but only if politicians spend more money on "a surge". Soldiers are like firefighters, demanding extra to fight fires. They will fight all right, but if you want victory that is overtime.

On Wednesday the Russian ambassador to Nato warned that Britain and France were "being dragged more and more into the eventuality of a land-based operation in Libya". This is what the defence lobby wants institutionally, even if it may appal the generals. In the 1980s Russia watched the same process in Afghanistan, where it took a dictator, Mikhail Gorbachev, to face down the Red Army and demand withdrawal. The west has no Gorbachev in Afghanistan at the moment. Nato's Rasmussen says he "could not envisage" a land war in Libya, since the UN would take over if Gaddafi were toppled. He must know this is nonsense. But then he said Nato would only enforce a no-fly zone in Libya. He achieved that weeks ago, but is still bombing.

It is not democracy that keeps western nations at war, but armies and the interests now massed behind them. The greatest speech about modern defence was made in 1961 by the US president Eisenhower. He was no leftwinger, but a former general and conservative Republican. Looking back over his time in office, his farewell message to America was a simple warning against the "disastrous rise of misplaced power" of a military-industrial complex with "unwarranted influence on government". A burgeoning defence establishment, backed by large corporate interests, would one day employ so many people as to corrupt the political system. (His original draft even referred to a "military-industrial-congressional complex".) This lobby, said Eisenhower, could become so huge as to "endanger our liberties and democratic processes".

I wonder what Eisenhower would make of today's US, with a military grown from 3.5 million people to 5 million. The western nations face less of a threat to their integrity and security than ever in history, yet their defence industries cry for ever more money and ever more things to do. The cold war strategist, George Kennan, wrote prophetically: "Were the Soviet Union to sink tomorrow under the waters of the ocean, the American military-industrial complex would have to remain, substantially unchanged, until some other adversary could be invented."

The devil makes work for idle hands, especially if they are well financed. Britain's former special envoy to Kabul, Sherard Cowper-Coles, echoed Kennan last week in claiming that the army's keenness to fight in Helmand was self-interested. "It's use them or lose them, Sherard," he was told by the then chief of the general staff, Sir Richard Dannatt. Cowper-Coles has now gone off to work for an arms manufacturer.

There is no strategic defence justification for the US spending 5.5% of its gross domestic product on defence or Britain 2.5%, or for the Nato "target" of 2%.

These figures merely formalise existing commitments and interests. At the end of the cold war soldiers assiduously invented new conflicts for themselves and their suppliers, variously wars on terror, drugs, piracy, internet espionage and man's general inhumanity to man. None yields victory, but all need equipment. The war on terror fulfilled all Eisenhower's fears, as America sank into a swamp of kidnapping, torture and imprisonment without trial.

The belligerent posture of the US and Britain towards the Muslim world has fostered antagonism and moderate threats in response. The bombing of extremist targets in Pakistan is an invitation for terrorists to attack us, and then a need for defence against such attack. Meanwhile, the opportunity cost of appeasing the complex is astronomical. Eisenhower remarked that "every gun that is made is a theft from those who hunger" – a bomber is two power stations and a hospital not built. Likewise, each Tomahawk Cameron drops on Tripoli destroys not just a Gaddafi bunker (are there any left?), but a hospital ward and a classroom in Britain.

As long as "big defence" exists it will entice glory-hungry politicians to use it. It is a return to the hundred years war, when militaristic barons and knights had a stranglehold on the monarch, and no other purpose in life than to fight. To deliver victory they demanded ever more taxes for weapons, and when they had ever more weapons they promised ever grander victories. This is exactly how Britain's defence ministry ran out of budgetary control under Labour.

There is one piece of good news. Nato has long outlived its purpose, now justifying its existence only by how much it induces its members to spend, and how many wars irrelevant to its purpose it finds to fight. Yet still it does not spend enough for the US defence secretary. In his anger, Gates threatened that "future US leaders ... may not consider the return on America's investment in Nato worth the cost". Is that a threat or a promise?

* Simon Jenkins is a journalist and author. He writes for the Guardian as well as broadcasting for the BBC. He has edited the Times and the London Evening Standard.

Source: Guardian

Finally, Olmert confirmed what I have mentioned over a months ago about the increase of military AID to racist Israel. But the smell of death does not stop there. US also announced that it will increase military SALES to some Arab regimes.

One ironic part in both the stories... It's an AID to Israel, but SALES to Arab regimes. Another part is that the arms sold to Arab are anything but as advanced or of quantity and quality of arms DONATED to Israel. This explains why Israel says "No Objections" to US/Gulf arms deal... (underline the words "Israel says No Objection", you go figure out who controls who...)

Excuse my ignorance... but is this the road of/for peace, Mr. Bush?!

Action:

US citizen are invited to contact their congress and demand they reject both the military sales to Arab regimes AND the increases in military grants to Israel (free weapons given for racist wars). Israel's military aid is to increase from $2.4 billion to $3 billion annually for the next ten years (a total cost to US taxpayers of $30 billion in addition to other aid).

For contacts of your representatives, go to:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

This is how U.S. support "PEACE" in the region:

Israel asked for a gradual increase in the aid over a 10-year period at the tune of $50 million per year. At the end of the 10 years, Israel will receive $2.9 billion annually in military assistance from the U.S.

Olmert told the president that an announcement on the increase in aid would be an expression of American support for Israel against the growing threats to its existence in the region.

In its announcement, the U.S. reiterated that the increased funds will allow Israel to deal with the new challenges it faces and to ensure a "qualitative military edge."

The prime minister asked U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates for his assistance in expediting the handling of a number of IDF procurement requests meant to complete the replenishment of equipment and stores used during the Second Lebanon War.

Gates pointed out that though there is no problem with the requests in principle, there is an orderly procedure. However, Bush intervened and directed the defense secretary to expedite approval of the IDF's requests. (Source: Haaretz)

The Zionist regime seeks $500M increase "for modernization ".

Senior U.S. and Israeli officials are discussing a new military aid package that could raise annual U.S. support from $2.4 billion to nearly $3 billion over the next decade.

According to political and security sources here, Tel Aviv is seeking a $500 million to $600 million hike in U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for development and procurement of systems needed to defend against the growing terror threat and the specter of an Iranian nuclear attack.

"We're optimistic that our American friends in the executive branch and in Congress will agree to a significant elevation in current military aid levels," an MoD official said March 1. "Washington shares our concerns regarding future threats, and understands that more money will be required to preserve Israel's qualitative military edge." (Source: Defense News)

So, fellow Americans. At least for the next decade you know who is stealing your money and using it to kill more innocent kids.

It is really disturbing to hear such news. Majority of Israeli see no other option but to declare a war on Iran if the negotiations fail.

Poll: 71% of Israelis want U.S. to strike Iran if talks fail

Fully 71 percent of Israelis believe that the United States should launch a military attack on Iran if diplomatic efforts fail to halt Tehran's nuclear program, according to a new poll.

The survey, commissioned by Bar-Ilan University's BESA Center and the Anti-Defamation League, found that 59 percent of Israelis still believe the war in Iraq was justified, while 36 percent take the opposite view.

Some 65 percent believe that the United States is a loyal ally of Israel, with only 11 percent saying the opposite. A slightly higher proportion, 73 percent, described U.S. President George W. Bush as friendly. Forty-eight percent attributed U.S. support for Israel to strategic considerations, while 30 percent credited American Jewry and 17 percent cited shared values and a shared democratic tradition. (Source: Haartz)

Don't they imagine that if such a war irrupts, their ass will be burned too? Yes, war by proxy (unfortunately the American soldiers again) is a good choice if you have the choice, but Iran these days is far stronger than Saddam when he attacked Israel during Gulf War.

Personally I think if this war ever ignite, it will be the "end of days". No one will escape the hell of it.

Such news really makes one feel sick. Who they are fooling?

From Haaretz:

"The visit, which comes about a month after Peretz visited Washington, will also deal with bilateral defense ties between the U.S. and Israel...

The Gates visit is critical to helping heal the rift in the relations between the U.S. and Israel defense establishments, following the crisis that occured over Israeli's sale of defense equipment to China. In 2005, the U.S. defense establishment placed severe sanctions on Israel, which included restrictions on defense-related sales, joint projects and exchanges of information on advanced weapons systems."

Sanctions? What sanctions? Was Israel really affected by this sanctions, or they were on paper only? Remember the cluster bombs deal (as a single example) during Israel war on Lebanon last year? Or is supplying Israel with bombs is not part of the sanctions?

Oh, wait. Did you know that US Congress voted for more cluster bombs; Israel finds "irregularities" in use. A million bomblets left unexploded, 4 million dropped on Lebanon in the summer, didn’t matter… Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Biden, a number of others rubber stamped a bill for Israel’s continuing use of American cluster bombs. The Republicans, of course, all voted for this bill. No investigation necessary.

They are fooling U.S. citizens only, unfortunately!

It was July 2005 when first published some information about the deployment of a new weapon in Iraq called "Active Denial System weapon." The weapon was deployed in Iraq for testing free-fresh-flesh-samples (to make "Fried Chicken"). This weapon fires a 95GHz microwave beam at "rioters" to cause heating and intolerable pain in less than five seconds.

Yesterday, Project Censored Releases a New study on the History of US Intelligence Community Human Rights Violations and Continuing Research in Electromagnetic Weapons:

US Electromagnetic Weapons and Human Rights
By Peter Phillips, Lew Brown and Bridget Thornton

This research explores the current capabilities of the US military to use electromagnetic (EMF) devices to harass, intimidate, and kill individuals and the continuing possibilities of violations of human rights by the testing and deployment of these weapons. To establish historical precedent in the US for such acts, we document long-term human rights and freedom of thought violations by US military/intelligence organizations. Additionally, we explore contemporary evidence of on-going government research in EMF weapons technologies and examine the potentialities of continuing human rights abuses.

In the 1950s and 60s the CIA began work to find means for influencing human cognition, emotion and behavior. Through the use of the psychological understanding of the human being as a social animal and the ability to manipulate a subject's environment through isolation, drugs and hypnosis, US funded scientists have long searched for better means of controlling human behavior. This research has included the use of wireless directed electromagnetic energy under the heading of "Information Warfare" and "Non Lethal Weapons." New technological capabilities have been developed in black budget projects[1] over the last few decades' including the ability to influence human emotion, disrupt thought, and present excruciating pain through the manipulation of magnetic fields. The US military and intelligence agencies have at their disposal frightful new weapons, weapons that have likely already been covertly used and/or tested on humans, both here and abroad, and which could be directed against the public in the event of mass protests or civil disturbance.

Human Rights belong to people collectively. To believe in rights for some and not others is a denial of the humanness of people worldwide. Yet, denial is exactly what Congress and George W. Bush did with the signing of the Military Commission Act of 2006. The new official US policy is that torture and suspension of due process are acceptable for anyone the president deems to be a terrorist or supporter. This act is the overt denial of the inalienable rights of human beings propagated in our Declaration of Independence and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. More so, US actions declared to the world that the US suspends human rights for those it believes are evil.

The precious words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," did not declare that only some men (and women) possess unalienable rights. Our independence was founded on the understanding that all men and women are recognized by this nation as having innate rights derived by their humanity.

Likewise, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, created by the United Nations in 1948, signed and ratified by the US Congress, specifies in its preamble that "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been a guide for international law for most of six decades, and as such binds the United States to its general principles. Article 10 states that "everyone is entitled to full equality, to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him," and Article 5 specifically prohibits torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Both of these basic human rights have been superceded by the passage the of Military Commissions Act of 2006.

Additionally, the Universal Declaration of Human rights declares that everyone has the right to freedom of thought and freedom of expression and opinion. This means that humans have the inalienable right to be able to freely think their own thoughts and discover their own truths. This paper addresses this most fundamental human right and explores the pending threats to individual freedom of thought posed by new EMF weapons technologies.

Freedom of thought or cognitive liberty is the natural human right of each person to be secure in their ability to perceive the world to the best of their ability. To have true cognitive liberty in a world as complex as ours would mean that first we must have access to truthful and unbiased information about the actions of others and the general state of the world. The Center for Cognitive Liberties defines this as "the right of each individual to think independently and autonomously, to use the full spectrum of his or her mind, and to engage in multiple modes of thought."[2] Without accurate representations we cannot make independently informed choices. It is imperative that the human body and mind be considered sacrosanct. To invade a person's body without their consent is an egregious human rights crime.

The circumstance may soon arrive in which anti-war or human rights protesters suddenly feel a burning sensation akin to touching a hot skillet over their entire body. Simultaneously they may hear terrifying nauseating screaming, which while not produced externally, fills their brains with overwhelming disruption. Not only are both phenomena currently possible, but designs for more powerful EMF technologies receive continuous funding from the US Government.

For the US Government to unilaterally declare that our country will not comply with international human rights laws, nor uphold the core values of our nation's foundation is an indication of extremism that supersedes the values and beliefs of the American people. When such extremism exists we need to take seriously the founders' declaration that, " to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, " That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." (Declaration of Independence 1776)

[1] Black budgets are government funded projects that are classified/secret to Congress and the American people. For an in-depth analysis on the topic, see Weiner, Tim , Blank Check: The Pentagon's Black Budget, Warner: 1990.

[2] See the Center for Cognitive Liberty at http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/

Full Study at:
http://www.projectcensored.org/newsflash/ElectromegnaticWeapons.pdf

There you go. Next time you go out in riots and come back with unknown burns (if you make it with getting fried), you know it is made in U.S.A.

Did you know that the world can't Wait to drive out the Bush Regime? "On October 5, people everywhere will walk out of school, take off work, and come to the downtowns & townsquares and set out from there, going through the streets and calling on many more to join us - making a powerful statement: "NO! THIS REGIME DOES NOT REPRESENT US! AND WE WILL DRIVE IT OUT!"

Did you know that the Big Brother is not only watching you, but shout at you in public? "Over 4 million cameras, being retro-fitted w/speaker systems. Yelling out orders to people like a concentration camp." (video attached)

Did you know that an Israeli diplomat carrying large quantity of explosives was arrested in Argentina?

Did you know that former IDF commandos trained Kurdish soldiers? Like the media - NYT, WaPo, CNN, BBC - didn't know the Israelis were in Northern Iraq. OH my God, what a surprise!! Well, too late now, might as well just ignore it.....Give us a break! We get lied to about Israel by every mainstream media outlet as if their lives depended on hiding the truth. Anything you read about Israel in the mainstream press is first approved by AIPAC and the Israeli government, so most of it is just total crap.

Did you know that World Bank Profits from Poor Countries and Receives more than Disburses? Did someone believe that a Neocon like Wolfowitz was going to work for a bank that actually HELPED the poor or that the Bushies would put in someone who was not going to get more out than he put in?

Did you know that Because Israel is a different kind of democracy (a fascist kind); the Arab Israelis who did not support Israel war on Lebanon war are getting punished, hard!

Did you know that Israeli bulldozers started to level the soil and cut down olive trees in Yarin in the Tyre region on Monday, spoiling several cultivated fields and preventing farmers from inspecting their lands.

Did you know that hundreds of terror suspects 'disappeared,' some sold to U.S, according to Amnesty International.

Did you know that new terror bill can affect green card holders & legal residents? "It would strip green-card holders and other legal residents of the right to challenge their detention in court if they are accused of being 'enemy combatants'."

Did you know that Israel is not withdrawing from Lebanon quite yet... Oh how SURPRISED we are!!

Did you know that an Israeli Colonel got 6 years for raping female soldier? It happens all the time, but the women are afraid of consequences and don't report the incidents. Even Katzsav's 8 victims waited for years, until set the ball rolling...

Did you know that Lebanon war has made abuse a part of the West Bank checkpoints? (Not that the Israelis need much of an excuse....) ..."From that moment on, according to Muhassin's testimony, he was exposed to cruelty and abuse for its own sake. Sergeant H. and Sergeant Y. dragged him to the APC, he says, placed plastic handcuffs on him and forced him to search for his escaped friend in the fields of thorns on the sides of the road. But after a short time they changed their minds, and without any advance warning began to hit and kick him..."

Did you know that US war costs since September 11 exceed $500 billion (and still no electricity....)? "The total cost of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and enhanced security at military bases since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks could reach $549 billion this year."

Did you know that IOF can shoot Lebanese stone-throwers if lives threatened? Just like they did here.... but the stones must have been the invisible kind...

Did you know that following the recent war in Lebanon, Ynet has received several complaints from Israeli companies that have encountered refusal of companies from various countries to cooperate with Israelis because of the war crimes? "Belgian hi-tech company specializing in development consulting notifies manager of Israeli company seeking cooperation that 'your country has conducted war crimes and is an apartheid regime."

Did you know that Bush's own church urges pull-out of US troops from Iraq and is urging direct action to end the war?

Did you know that Millions of Evangelical Christians around the world support and constantly pray for the State of Israel? "We'll fight for Israel."

Did you know that majority of Americans want the United States to increase diplomatic efforts over Iran's nuclear ambitions, while 70 percent oppose the use of U.S. troops to thwart Iran? (according to a Reuters/Zogby poll). These are the people of America whom we love and conceder as victims of Bushies... just like billion others around the world!!

Did you know that Five years after 9/11, Muslim-American men are still being arrested on flimsy charges and accused of being terrorists?

Did you know that 67% of Israelis want talks with PA gov't including Hamas? "A majority of Israelis would support holding negotiations with a Palestinian unity government that includes the Islamic Hamas movement, according to the results of a joint Palestinian-Israeli poll released on Tuesday."

Know you know...!!!

He who has U.S. support... Can say:
Don't touch our atomic arsenal...
No to the agreement to limit W.M.D...
No to stability...
No to control on "Israel"...

Did you know that Israeli experts has determined that 'best' presidential candidate for Israel is the former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. "Giuliani is followed by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Arizona Senator John McCain and New York Senator Hillary Clinton. Ranking bottom of the list is Illinois Senator Barack Obama. As part of a new project, The Israel Factor: Ranking the presidential candidates" the panel will rank the candidates every month, up until the 2008 election, awarding them marks out of 10 on a series of questions that will determine which candidates are "best" for Israel."

Now you know!

Did you know that U.S. built major Iranian nuclear facility? In the heart of Tehran sits one of Iran's most important nuclear facilities, a dome-shaped building where scientists have conducted secret experiments that could help the country build atomic bombs. It was provided to the Iranians by the United States... Not only did the U.S. provide the reactor in the 1960s as part of a Cold War strategy, America also supplied the weapons-grade uranium needed to power the facility—fuel that remains in Iran and could be used to help make nuclear arms.

Now you know!

You may be interested in this video, especially the interview with Israeli tank commander, Col Amnon, who refused orders to send his troops into "certain death". Despite all their weapons, it shows an Israeli army in disarray, full of half trained reservists who aren't ready for real combat. [Hat tip: Paul]

Did you know that new tenders were issued for hundreds of homes in [illegal] W. Bank settlements? According to Peace Now, the tenders prove that the "Olmert government functions as a right- wing government in all senses; instead of evacuating outposts and freezing construction in settlements, the government is building hundreds of housing units in the territories and plans on authorizing dozens of illegal outposts.

This is the peace loving Israel!

Did you know that Europe nixes landing rights for El Al planes with IOF cargo? The refusal came from states considered friendly with Israel, including Britain, Germany and Italy, according to Captain Etai Regev, the chairman of El Al's pilots' union.

This makes sense!

Did you know that the Haifa City Council on Monday approved the dismissal of Deputy Mayor Walid Hamis, for his opposition to the war in Lebanon? Hamis, was fired due to his vocal opposition to the war and for pointing out the discrimination in Arab neighborhoods. What does this tell you? if you are not a warmonger in the peaceful state of Israel, you are in the wrong place!

Now you know!

Did you know that Bush family profits from endless war? Long before the current Bush Administration, George Bush Sr., along with former government officials and the Bin Laden family of Saudi Arabia, created a private investment firm called the Carlyle Group. The purpose of the company is to acquire interests in arms manufacturers. Because it is a privately owned company, it's dealings are only rarely reported on in the financial news, but it is one of the biggest beneficiaries of America's drive to war and it is making its investors very rich.

Here is a video excerpt (full version below):

Dutch with English Subtitles - Full Version

Note: The beginning of this film is in Dutch. English language content starts at 1:45 - one minute and 45 seconds into the film

Did you know that "three-quarters of the Palestinian people are displaced. Approximately one in three refugees worldwide is Palestinian. More than half are displaced outside the borders of their historic homeland." This is quoted from Forced Migration Review in its current issue, which deals with Palestinian refugees. For FULL ISSUE or SINGLE ARTICLES go to: http://www.fmreview.org/palestine.htm

As an uprooted Palestinian, I recommend reading the above!

Did you know that the largest US Church (The Presbyterian Church) has released a book that says President Bush is behind 9/11 attacks?!

Also, a former NSA official said that terror plot was cooked by Bush-Blair mafia!

Now you know!

Did you know that suddenly, one can be an 'Islamic Fascist'?! How would Homeland Security judge me if I stepped off a plane in the U.S. tomorrow and told officials not only that I am appalled by the humanitarian crises in Lebanon and Gaza but also that I do not believe the war on terror should be directed against either the Lebanese or the Palestinians? How would they respond if, further, I described as nonsense the idea that Hezbollah or the political leaders of Hamas are "terrorists"?

May be you should not try!

Did you know that an "Arab" terrorists are going to attack America just in time for the November elections?! Here are Israelis caught red handed planning "Arab" terrorism.

Now you know!

Did you know that Israel forced foreigners to work under rocket fire?! At least 30 Thai workers have complained in the past few days that their employers are forcing them to work in fields in the north, even as Katyusha rockets launched from Lebanon rain down on towns near the border.

Now you know!

Did you know that Zionist Christians are a Mossad operation and that Zionist changed the name of Jesus In Israel so that it is now an acronym meaning "Be His Name and Memories Forgotten."

Now you know!

Did you know that (PDF) over the past decade, the United States has transferred more than $17 billion in military aid to Israel. From 2001 to 2005, Israel has actually received more than $10.5 billion in Foreign Military Financing. In 2005, Israel received $2.25 billion in Foreign Military Financing, and President George W. Bush's budget request for 2007 includes an additional $2.24 billion in FMF aid for Israel?!

Now you know!

Do you know how the reports of the July 12th capture of IOF soldiers shifted from Lebanon to Israel?!

Now you know!

Did you know that "No justice for the Palestinians = no peace for any of us." Arabs and Moslems everywhere begin to entertain if they are not already entertaining something like the following thought: "If 3,000 Hizbullah guerrillas can stand up to mighty Israel for weeks and give it a seriously bloody nose, what would happen if we all joined the fight?"

Now you know!

Did you know that US/Israeli planning for decimating Hezballah was a prelude and testing ground for attacking Iran?! (very insightful article by Semour M. Hersch)

Now you know!

How long would Israel's war have been allowed to continue if American audiences had seen those charred bodies or dead babies? How long would most Western viewers have remained silent if they were exposed to the kind of images shown daily on the Arabic satellite channels? Might they then start to understand why we hate them -- and more usefully why they should hate themselves?

Now you know why!

The following is an abbreviated translation from some of the Arabic-language blogs. It was initially published at Global Voices...

The Blazing Middle East

Third day after the beginning of the never ending Middle East conflict; Israel/Lebanon war, the Arabic blogsphere speaks.

Ranging between anger, celebration, condemnation and support, on both sides of the conflict, the bloggers views vary depends where they come from. Some sound extreme, others sound objective and reasonable, but all hopes that this ends with persistence peaceful and just solution for all, soon.

From Bahrain, Ali glorifies the Shia't Hezbollah operation and call them 'the most honored arab,' yet condemns Sunni's conspiracy against Hezbollah. He said:

From Jordan, Rami simply lay few unanswered questions, he said:

Moodless from Kuwait see this as 'Policy of Foolishness':

From Lebanon, in her last post, Eve first draws the sad pictures of the atrocities, damages, death at door steps, buildings, bridges, airport and all Israeli air raid targets. The second part of her post reveals her wishful unity against Israel aggression. She said:

From Egypt, Jar el-Kamar looks at Hezbollah operation from different perspectives and tries to understand who is benefiting from what:

Last but not least, Osama, a blogger from Palestine post few photos of debris on the Israeli side, caused by Hezbollah rockets and Israeli civilians sitting in shelters and title the post with one line; "They are suffering as much as you are."

Update: This post is highlighted on the CBS Public Eye website:
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2006/07/14/publiceye/entry1805900.shtml

Google, which offers satellite photos of locations across the globe, has agreed to limit the resolution of footage of sensitive military installations and vulnerable sites in Israel. The locations are: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Masada, the Dimona Nuclear Research Center (DNRC), Sdot Micha (listed as a nuclear weapons base), the Kinneret, and the Mizpe Ramon crater.

Transparent Aluminum was once a matter of science fiction. The US Air Force has actually developed transparent aluminum and are testing it now. The new kind of transparent armor -- stronger and lighter than traditional materials -- that could stop armor-piercing weapons from penetrating vehicle windows.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) took delivery of the first batch of an order for 80 F-16 fighters from the United States, estimated to cost 6.4 billion dollars.