Not emphasized on American media are the antiwar protests going on in Israel. There apparently is a lot of opposition to Netanyahu, either because of his principles or out of fear of retaliation, but the people there may have as little control over their leader as we do.
Yemen is situated quite a distance from the Persian Gulf, but in close proximity to the Red Sea and the access to the Suez Canal. This image from last week when the Houthis joined Iran and Hezbollah in sending missiles against Israel, with mixed success.
Also not featured much on American media is the Israeli push into Lebanon in their efforts to lay waste to the southern part of the country to create a "buffer zone" from hostile forces there. This image posted after an Israeli "double-tap" attack - a rocket to a residential neighborhood followed by a second one schedule to arrive when rescuers and journalists were present at the scene.
I think I mentioned in the Facebook excerpts that Iran is responding to destruction of its own universities by counterattacking American-related universities in the Gulf region.
A screencap from April 1 in response to Trump's claim that negotiations were underway. The Iranian counterproposals are diametrically opposite to Trump's 15-point "plan" that any intelligent observer would see they are not compatible.
From April 5 (today), part of the message the Iranian parliament sent to Trump. The phrase in the screencap "because you insist on following Netanyahu's commands" shows how they think the dynamics of the war are set. More of the message to Trump was posted in The Times of Israel: he said "“Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family..." in response to Trump's claim that Iran will be living in Hell.
If any readers here do decide to intermittently monitor Al Jazeera's broadcasts (note they come not from Iran but from the Gulf state of Qatar), you can do so via a link at the World Monitor app, or via their You Tube channel (both are in English). If you do so and happen to view at a time when this young woman is providing analysis -
- I would encourage you to pay special attention to her commentary. I only picked up the closing moments of an interview, and her perception of the power play between Trump and the Iranians is superb. I believe that she is Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy based in Washington DC. She has ten years experience covering US/Iran relationships. She is also the host of The Iran Podcast.
Israelis demonstrated and voted four times in two years to avoid N. There were mass demonstrations. They did not want this. They run to bunkers five times a day. It's not covered much anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI watch Al Jazeera everyday as well as many other (not mainstream) news sources to try and learn the true stories about the war. As always we here in the USA are being lied to (propaganda). Thank you for bringing Negar Mortazavi to my attention as I have not seen her before. We have to get rid of the great turd before he spells our doom.
ReplyDeleteA topic that keeps coming up among friends: parallels between us in modern America and the German citizens under the Nazi regime. Before you brush me off as another troll:
ReplyDelete- we are rounding up people who are here legally and putting them in camps at best, deporting them to countries where they are almost certain to perish at worst
- we have murdered our own citizens at LEAST three times (on camera) and there have been zero repercussions
- we are the aggressor in invading countries and committing multiple war crimes
- our citizenry is completely immersed in a centrally controlled propaganda machine
At what point do we as "average Joes" become culpable? I realize the irony in asking this question from the comfort of my own home instead of doing something myself.
That's not at all trollish. You are expressing a common sentiment.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/3b710Jbz9b8
It is with great pain that I'm writing here.
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy reading your blog. I used to enjoy learning things I would not have learned if you did not blog intermittently.
Now - each time I open the page - I fear of what I might 'learn'.
I learn that our struggle to survive In our home is portrayed as a crime against our poor innocent neighbors.
I learn that our defense forces efforts to warn the civilians of an incoming attack is portrayed as a vicious genocide technique.
I learn that even people I admired fall victim to the simplistic narratives that there is a good side and a bad side and can not comprehend the complexity of the situation.
I know we are not perfect - I know my grand parents may have used force 70 years ago to build their home in this crazy neighborhood, but now - for me and my family (and about 10 million Israelis) - this is home - and we will do what ever it takes to protect it - We have no other home.
I leave you with one simple thought experiment:
Let's say that one day - the state of Israel declared that it's putting down all its weapons and releasing all its armed forces - what will happen the next day?
Now let's say that one day - Iran declares the same, or Lebanon, or Syria - what will happen then?
Keep up the good work. I will keep opening this page.
Hoping for better, peaceful days.
B.