While You Were Sleeping...

World War Three just broke out:

Israel intensified its attacks against Lebanon on Thursday, blasting Beirut's airport in its heaviest air campaign against its neighbor in 24 years. Four dozen civilians had died in the violence following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah, officials said.

After warplanes punched holes in the airport's runways just south of Beirut, Israel's army chief Brig. Gen. Dan Halutz warned that "nothing is safe" in Lebanon. He said Beirut itself — particularly offices and residences of Hezbollah officials — would be a target.

This gets added to the fighting in Gaza, the "Saving Private Ryan" move to recapture the kidnapped soldier. It's a two-front war against Hamas and Hizbollah. There's no doubt that this is going to escalate. Maybe Israel needed to finally act to rid the Lebanese border of terrorist groups who operated with impunity. I support them protecting their citizens from rocket attacks But maybe there are consequences to that which will have long-term effects in the region.

As a Jew, I'm not supposed to criticize Israel. Ever. That's how I grew up.

Let me just say that I have no faith in the current leaders in Jerusalem. I don't think they have a clue what they're doing. The Defense Minister was a longtime labor organizer. The Prime Minister was a mayor. Their foreign policy and diplomatic experience is extremely limited, and this lashing out, however appropriate, is a dangerous game (and to many warbloggers in this country, it is a game). Hizbollah has said they'll hit Haifa. Israel has decided Beirut is a legitimate target. The last time they went into Lebanon they were there for 20 years.

World War I began in the Balkans. It was far more strategically insignificant than the Middle East. Case in point; oil's up to an all-time high, almost $76/barrel.