rational geekery

Over night Israeli forces have bombed the International Airport in Beirut, and this morning they begin a sea blockade of Lebanon. Yet again, the world braces itself for another bloody crisis in the Middle East.

From Lebanon is the always-insightful Anarchistian: -

Things are not looking bright up here. Not bright at all. In a few hours perhaps, we will have a show of strength from our neighbours to the south, most probably a bombing of our power plants, as happened a number of years back. I remember it well. It was night, silence everywhere. We had gone to bed. Suddenly a terrible explosion. Deafening. I jumped up from bed and immediately looked outside. The sky: orange. The sounds continued, and the sky was also bright with red lines: AAA left from the Soviet times. Pointless. The Israelis have not only superior military equipment, but also political support from America and other powers.

And repetition. To what end? People have asked me, do I condemn HezbAllah’s actions or support it? Is it provocation or a response to provocations? If only things were that simple! One thing is clear, whether or not this one was a provocation by HezbAllah, the fact remains that Lebanon witnesses almost daily violations of its airspace. I was watching BBC today, and they were showing a live interview with Mark Regev, Olmert’s spokesperson, and he argued that the border between Lebanon and Israel is recognized internationally and affirmed by the UN, and the crossing of HezbAllah operatives into Israel was an act of war. But not the daily crossings of fighter jets from Israel into Lebanon. Of course not.

The collective punishment of civilians is specifically outlawed under internal law. Keep up the great work Anarchistian, our thoughts are with you.