Mideast Dispatches

So here we are a month and a half later and still no Israeli shelling of Lebanon, No US air strikes on Syria nor Iran.

That boat was sent there for a reason, just like the divisions of Syrian forces lined up with their border from lebanon to Israel.

"We're ready!" That is what everyone is saying. Last week Israel had a civil defence drill. On the last day of the drill, Syria held their own (failed miserably but that's another story). Hezbullah has been re-armed by Iran with missles capable of hitting the jewel in the crown called Israel - Tel Aviv. Iran and the U.S have been antagonizing each other in the strait of Hormuz.

Posturning folks...everyone's ready - but behind it all - talks...talks between Hamas and Israel, Hamas and the U.S., Iran and Hezbullah, Syria and just about everyone. So what's the point? If you're gonna talk the talk, you gotta walk the walk or nobody listens.

As a symbolic showing or not, the US has no business sailing its warship off the coast of Lebanon. The world would be a lot better place without George W.'s war mongering.

When will people learn that educational options would do far more than bombs? As much as people would like to believe that everyone in the Middle East is a fundamentalist, the real question I ask is why do we not see this for what it is: political perversion.

To steam the USS Cole to this region is entirely symbolic. Although I am sure the symbolism is lost in North America with most, without a doubt not lost in the M. East. This will "dovetail" nicely with Ms. Rice leaving the M.East, followed by further incursions into Gaza and ??? for the so-called peace negotiations. Then who knows. Iranian oil bourse to consider, destabalized governments in the region, greenback in tailspin. This is a situation that should be but (deplorably) can't be remedied through diplomacy. Another example of a "failure to communicate". Jeez, it seems rather elementary, feed people, educate them. With a full belly and a mind of your own, less likely to fall into the clutches of fundamentalism.

World's most dangerous country is United States & the most dangerous man is Geoge W. Bush. We all come to learn the lies told to the entire world by the so called super-power, trying to justify the reason to invade iraq. The worlds most powerful army still cannot bring peace to Iraq, do you really think that they can bring peace to Lebanon or to anyother part of the world.

it is clear that the u.s has declared war on lebanon,using the u.s.s cole as a symbolic gesture to its personnel as some kind of morale boost after their accident in yemen by al-qaida,most likely instigating an incident with hozballah for its excuse to attack. Hozballah is not al-qaida and it is trying to defend lebanon which has been bombarded by israel 50 years into the past and the whole world is mute on the tragedy of the lebanese people.

Symbolism-pure and simple.In the wider conflict that may come,one ship will not be the deciding factor; more likely the Sixth Fleet itself.

Does George Bush even have a coherent plan for his War on Terror? It seems it depends on American interests whether an Islamic group is considered a terrorist organization or not.

While Hezbollah is a rogue entity supported by pariah states, the KLA, known to affiliate itself with Al Qaeda elements, not to mention also known as the drug trafficers of Europe have had there illegal activites rewarded with an illegal state!

Craig from halifax, what about the cowards in jets, who drop bombs indisciminately from 1000 feet over head. Turn off Cnn and enlighten yourself!

The deployment of the USS Cole and support ships to Lebanese territorial waters is clearly a move by the United States to replace failed State Department diplomatic peace negotiations with blatant gun-boat diplomacy. This failure when conjoined with the ever-increasing political instability in Lebanon,the renewed Israeli strikes against Hamas and,probably,Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent and less than subtle two-day visit to Baghdad, when viewed against the backdrop of an upcoming US/Arab Middle East summit, give President George Bush the perfect situation for a less than subtle military incursion. Don't be surprised if an assault force of Marines is on its way if,in fact, it is not already off shore.

I think the Canadian taxpayer should start saving now for the next round of evacuations!

Seems passing the fiascos of Iraq and Afghanistan along with the accumulated debt and a neglected economy to the next administration isn't enough for good ole god fearing George W.

Nope...now he seems intent on creating a few more headaches for future generations to deal with by meddling in long standing disputes he has no idea about (Kosovo, Lebanon)in order that we don't forget his contributions to humanity for decades to come.

The scary thing is he still has roughly 10 months left in office, who knows what else he's planning!!!

Its time the world stops letting Syria and Iran call the shots in Lebanon. The international community again has made the US and Israel the villans, while Hezzbollah and Hamas have full riegn on the region. Let's hope the UN doesn't stick its nose into an honourable fight against those who fight behind the shields of women and babies.

If this was a for real show of force by the Americans, as everyone seems to be so worried about, they would be sending MUCH larger Naval(and Marine) Forces than a single Missile Destroyer.

A respectable news broadcastor like CBC should have better checked their information about the opposition which they call syrian and iranian backed. I as as a christian from lebanon and like many (60% of the lebanese population) have had it with influence from the "outside". We have had it with iran, syria, israel, usa, britian, jordan, saudi arabia, egypt and everyone else and them trying to influence politics in lebanon to their favour. WE HAVE HAD IT. Leave us alone and do not call people who care about lebanon and its future as being Syrian-Iranian backed. WE ARE ONLY LEBANESE MADE AND LEBANESE BACKED.

An excellent report as expected from this source.Balanced,succinct and yet compehensive and thought provoking.The middle east remains a very troubled region and its troubles affect all of us.

This is just another useless (If not detrimental) demonstration of power by the US. Maybe what I am writing is redundant out of topic. We have not learned that violence bring more violence.

Takes more courage just to show the other cheek!

Lets see how the next admin in the US deals with this!??

What else would occupy Bush's mind? He's getting bored with Afghanistan and Iraq!
This will keep his dream alive of conquering all those who oppose his way.
Thank God he's leaving soon.

stirring the pot is always fun . remember iran helped hezzy hit a modern israeli battleship , will they try again ?

Ye gods, my barber returned home to visit his folks, hope he is able to make it back.

With the Bush Administration's obvious concerns with Iran, in that light, this is a worrisome move.

Unfortunately, the decision that was made by the "genius" president Mr. Bush himself will never be understood by us, that is people with "average" IQ. Only a seasoned man with his wit can make such a decision. There isn't enough turmoil in region to satisfy his hunger for war so he is looking for another country to destroy and declare fake victory. God bless Lebanon!

It is clear that much is heating under the surface. This deadlock between the west and the eastern resistance is of crucial significance who ever wins this stand off will win the string pulling for at least 10 years to come. Regardless to what side u cheer, there will be blood soon, and this round shall truly change the political face of the region. If hizbollah capture another astonishing victory the Israel must start packing however if the west sweeps hizbollah fractures Syrian and Iran then its a new era of renewed western abuse of the middle east. In both cases I pray that the blood of children be spared please god.

It's surprising that this has been so little reported in the press. Could it be that the Bush Administration is plotting its final stand in the Middle East? Short of bombing Iran (for which there appears to be absolutely no justification), a power play in Lebanon might be (symbolically, at least) just the ticket. The US, I imagine, has been dying (no pun intended) to get back at Hamas (and Hezbollah) for ages, in support of Israel and also to assuage the wounded pride of the "world's only superpower" for its lack of success in brokering a deal in Palestine (not to mention Iraq). The symbolism of the USS Cole does point, as Ms Ayed suggests, to a possible US desire for retribution against those who have previously humiliated it.

Q: But what is the true value of the U.S. extending this kind of "hand" to the troubled region?

In the first place, those who consider eight anti-Syrian election figures assassinated over the past two years, “Lebanon's presidential problem" probably wouldn't know a "hand" from a gunboat.

Lebanon is not a "troubled region"; but rather a region of which there has been more commitment to causing the death of several of Lebanon's potential leaders (also our allies) than improving the living conditions of Lebanese...

looks like another showdown between us israel and hezbullah summmer is comming GOd bless.

It seems Bush is feeling invincible these days, even if he has to give up the ship near the end of the calendar year.

We all know he would like to engage Iran and Syria and further the ongoing Republican war against terrorism in that part of the world.

Will Iran and Syria bite? And will Israel jump in this time around? Stay tuned, for these are the days of our lives!

The only problem in the Middle East, is that everyone but the citizens of the land run the country.

In other words, The United States, Israel, Syria, France, Iran, Britian and many other countries all have some sort of control over the entire region.

Thanks to France and other countries, the Lebanese government has no control over the country. Since people are elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian representation.

Lebanon needs a political overhaul, without everyone else getting involved.

I'm surprised that the U.S. would continue its militaristic approach to foreign policy with this move. Maybe the U.S. wants to remind the world that they still have boats that don't sink, even though their economy is sinking like a stone.

If I were a betting man, I would say that the US decision to move the USS Cole closer to Lebanon is in anticipation (or in preparation) for an Israeli offensive in Lebanon. Water must be running low.

More imperialist ventures - just what we need! What does self- determination mean if it does not mean Lebanon can choose who it wants (INCLUDING Hezbollah) to represent its people. We in the West are such hypocrites; I just wish we would admit it instead of the normal high-sounding self-lauditory rationalizations.....

Thanks for the print report on Lebanon. I am always intrigued by events in Lebanon. I feel kind of sorry for the people of Lebanon being stuck between those two entities, Syrian and Israel. I bet a lot of people pine for a return to the 19th century, and they probably find it impossible to take pleasure from politics. Every time a Lebanese person steps up to display a will to power and lead the nation, BANG he's dead. The killers can come from any side. They are never pursued. Politics is suicide and that is terribly tragic. Thank you for reporting in this country for Canadians. Keep safe. We love Ya.

This preassure on the worlds new 'Powder Keg' while the old goes through it's, hopefully, last throws; bodes ill for the whole world.
May god protect the journalists we need for truth and everyone in the region. This move is dangerously provacative at a pivitol point this is too aggressive to end well.

Im sick and tired of the Americans already with their muscle flexing and non-diplomatic strategies.
Its like they "feed" off making war and creating havoc everywhere they go.
As a Canadian citizen, I have no intention to support any moves made by the Bush administration, no do i care if they put another hole in that piece of junk floating around out there!