Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on January 22, 2016

How About Israel?

HOW ABOUT ISRAEL?

On 6 December 2015, the Bernie Sanders campaign spelled out on Facebook his position on ISIS: ISIS will be destroyed with an international coalition in which Muslim troops on the ground are supported by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and other leading powers. We must learn the lesson of Iraq. American troops should not be engaged in perpetual warfare in the Middle East.

Great. Muslim boots on the ground, the rest of the civilized world acting in support. Its about time someone pitched this idea. ISIS should worry.

Endless war is an abomination.

On 1 January 2015 Time Magazine reported that: The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost the American taxpayer between $4 trillion and $6 trillion. This accounting includes long-term medical care and disability compensation for service members, veterans and families, as well as military replenishment and social and economic costs. According to the department of defense, there have been about 35,000 casualties; in addition, 320,000 American soldiers have had brain injuries.

To quote Bernie, Enough is Enough!

But neocons and neoliberals everywhere (including the New York Times) are beating the drums of war once again loudly and clearly (as they did before we invaded Iraq). They not only want American boots on the ground in Syria, they want our soldiers to attack Iran as well.

Who stands to gain?

In this regard there is no big secret to reveal. We have it from the horses mouth: The Intercept reported on 4 December 2015: Major defense contractors Raytheon, Oshkosh, and Lockheed Martin assuredinvestors at aCredit Suisse conference inWest Palm Beach this weekthat they stand to gain from the escalating conflicts in the Middle East. These investors are sipping martinis and toasting to the prospect of more wealth from the safety and decadence of luxurious hotel suites in upscale West Palm Beach, the home of two of the Koch brothers and 27 other billionaires, who fund superPACS that support perpetual war.

We dont need to get involved in another quagmire. Which is not to say that it is not important to destroy ISIS and Al Qaeda.

But we have to accept the fact that the greatest military force on the face of the earth cannot and should not go it alone. We have to accept the fact that the most powerful military force on earth cannot win in the Middle East without the leadership on the ground of the people in the region, the great majority of whom are not radical Jihadists.

Saudi Arabia is the fourth largest military spender in the world. According to Global Firepower it ranks 3rd in military strength in the region. It The other oil rich nations in the region, including United Arab Emigrates (ranked 5th in the region in military strength) and Kuwait (ranked 8th), should finance the war, as well as put troops on the ground.

Turkey (the other regional force there) could do more. Its military power (10th in the world) is greater than Australias, Egypts and Canadas. If all these nations joined forces on the ground (with the logistical, technical and air support of the rest of the civilized world including the United States, the European Union and Russia), how long could radical Jihadism stand? ISIS would be relegated to the trashcan of evil ideas along with Hitler.

But there is the elephant in the room Israel.

It boggles the imagination that Americas most important ally in the region has not put boots on the ground against ISIS. In a new ranking released by Business Insider, Israel has the most powerful military in the Middle East. It also ranked 1st in the region in military strength in the world by Global Firepower, which did not even include Israels nuclear capability at the time of the ranking.

Wouldnt it be in Israels self-interest to actively fight ISIS? Isnt it more likely that ISIS attack Israel than that Iran attack Israel? According to the Israeli Newspaper Haaretz, ISIS is sure to attack Israel. It is only a matter of time. No mention of any immanent attack by Iran on Israel.

If Israel put troops on the ground in the fight against ISIS, it would also help quell rumors that somehow, Israel and Saudi Arabia actually secretly support ISIS.

Isnt it time for the most powerful nation in the Middle East to stand up and be counted? Shouldnt Israel choose a side?

If Israel and our Muslim allies fail to pick up the gauntlet, we have no business being there.

Read the original:
How About Israel - dailykos.com

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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