« March 2008 | Main | May 2008 » IF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS IS GIVEN TO SYRIA TODAY
By Micah Halpern
Thursday May 1, 2008 Column: Right means left. Up means down. Yes means no. That's the Middle East for you. The best way to understand the play book of the Middle East is to think of a game of opposites. You mean one thing, you say another. You want something specific, you do everything in your power not to have it happen. The cardinal rule of the Middle East goes like this: nothing should ever be taken at face value. Everything should be seen for its superficial meaning. Take these past few days, for example. First came rumors: Then came a news report: On the surface, it all looks legitimate. It looks as if, finally, Israel and Syria are getting closer to negotiating than they have since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. But remember, this is the Middle East. Remember, think opposites. Remember, nothing should be taken at face value. Finally, came confirmation: And then clarification: Aha! Now we all get it. To say the least, Iran became very nervous when Israel made overtures to Syria. Iran knows that if Syria falls into a peace accord with Israel that means that Syria will have been poached from their side of the hostilities and brought over onto the side of the Western infidel, the United States. Syria knows that Iran needs to be placated, that Iranian concerns need to be soothed. Syria knows that Iran needs to know that all is well, that nothing has changed, that this really is the Middle East game being played. So Syria sent its ambassador out onto the Shiite airwaves of Hezbollah TV to explain what should have been obvious to Iran and to all Middle East watchers, analyzers and players from the outset. And then Taqi took it a step further. Taqi explained that accepting overtures from the Israelis and accepting an invitation from the White House to attend the Annapolis Conference were one and the same. Syria is not interested in peace, Syria is interested in getting the Golan back and Syria is interested in destroying Israel. What stymies me is not that Syria took a great offer and threw it right back in the diplomatic face of Israel. Why stymies me is that serious, seasoned, world leaders actually thought that Syria would go for a deal. Okay, so Jimmy Carter didn't get it. I expect nothing more of him. But significant players in the Israeli government - including the prime minister, allowed themselves to be duped by the Syrians - much as the Iranians were. This was not new behavior for the Syrians, they were playing by the old rules, not making up new rules. What happened? If the Golan Height is given to the Syrians today, Iran and Hezbollah will be there tomorrow. I cringe to think about what those two haters of Israel would do with such an unbelievable vantage. You know who got it? You know who reacted only tepidly, very tepidly, to the entire advance toward negotiations episode - the United States, that's who. The United States does not trust Syria. As much as the United States wants there to be peace in the Middle East, the United States does not trust Syria to deliver on any bargain. So the big winner in this game is the United States. Thankfully, this time around, there were no big losers. Game's over. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Ahmadinejad Visits India
By Micah Halpern
Wednesday April 30, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Iran and India are about to sign an important natural gas deal that will establish a pipeline from Iran to India. Ahmadinejad visited India on Tuesday to discuss the deal. The US cannot insist that India back away from doing business with Iran, but they can and did beg India to at least link their gas deal to establishing international monitoring or to stopping the nuclear program in Iran. After all, Iran needs the business and may have agreed just to get the deal. But India was too frightened and went head without any pre-conditions. Now India has become complicit in the policies of Iran. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. What is Wrong With This Picture
By Micah Halpern
Tuesday April 29, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Palestinian judges have convicted and sentenced a Palestinian man to death. The Palestinian was convicted of helping the Israelis find terrorists. The Palestinians have sworn to avenge those who collaborate with Israel. Yesterday's decision is not an isolated case - there are numerous examples of this type of justice including one where a Palestinian was executed by a gang while he was strapped to an x-ray table. We have a problem here. Any momentum for a peace agreement between Palestinian and Israeli leadership is predicated on stopping the terror. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. N Koreans Killed in Syrian Nuke Site
By Micah Halpern
Monday April 28, 2008 I've Been Thinking: The Japanese news network NHK came out with an important report today. Why is the death of 10 North Koreans significant? At the time, both the North Korean and the Syrians disavowed any connection. The discovery that there were actually North Koreans at the Syrian nuclear, corroboration that came from an outside, non-Western source is another blow to the Syrian attempt to save face. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Ahmadinejad Is very Busy
By Micah Halpern
Sunday April 27, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Ahmadinejad is very busy lately. Officially Ahmadinejad is there to discuss economic relations. Ahmadinejad is trying to pry apart US strategic partnerships and then entice countries into regional alliances that are anti-American. For example, when Ahmadinejad met with the Syrian foreign minister he repeated this and warned him to make certain Syria was not lured into the US web of lies. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Jordan Gets US Help
By Micah Halpern
Saturday April 26, 2008 I've Been Thinking: The US just gave the Jordanians $237,000 worth of equipment. What possessed the United States to bestow this grant upon Jordan? The objective is to track and identify terror networks that are using the World Wide Web. The Jordanians have climbed aboard and joined the West in a world wide fight against Islamic extremism. In essence, the United States gave Jordan a welcoming gift. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
White House Diplomacy
By Micah Halpern
Friday April 25, 2008 I've Been Thinking: The White House has been very busy trying to make peace between Israel and the Palestinians this week. Both Abdullah, King of Jordan and Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority paid visits to the West Wing and to the Oval Office, each on consecutive days. The objective of the White House is to apply pressure in order to bring about an agreement. Bush will be in Israel to celebrate Israel’s 60th Anniversary. While there he will convene a mini summit on the peace he is trying to force through. The biggest stumbling block in Bush's way is neither Palestinian leadership nor Israeli leadership. Hamas gets off on attacking Israel and undermining the other Palestinians. Hamas can never have a state - that is clear to everyone except Hamas. Until Hamas comes under control there can really be no progress on the peace front. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Hamas Wins in Hebron
By Micah Halpern
Thursday April 24, 2008 I've Been Thinking: There were student council elections yesterday at Hebron University. But get this: Is Hebron that far from Gaza? Fatah can read the handwriting on the wall. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. THE KETTLE CALLING THE POT BLACK - MUSLIM STYLE
By Micah Halpern
Wednesday April 23, 2008 Column: It's a case of the kettle calling the pot black - Muslim style. Al Qaeda is on the defensive - not against the United States, not against Israel, not against any Western country. Al Qaeda is taking to task one of the only countries that really counts in their Muslim world, al Qaeda is taking Iran to task. For the past several months the Iranians have been spreading a conspiracy theory that diminishes al Qaeda. The theory has it that together, in collaboration, the United States and Israel masterminded 9-11, that it was not al Qaeda, that it was not Osama bin Laden and his henchmen that it was a home grown Western job. And al Qaeda, in the person of Ayman Zawahiri is setting the record straight. In a contest that ran from December 2007 through January 16, 2008 Muslim Arabs were invited to submit questions for Zawahiri, the al Qaeda number two man behind bin Ladin, to answer. Zawahiri chose the questions he deemed most interesting and important and has begun responding to those questions via the internet. It is all part of an al Qaeda sponsored public relations campaign. Al Qaeda needs a new and improved reputation in the Arab world. The first installment of Zawahiri responses came out a few days ago, the second is out now and is a two - hour long monologue available on several Islamist websites. The message in this installment is clear: when it comes to 9 -11 it was al Qaeda, it was all al Qaeda and it was only al Qaeda. Why has Iran been spreading this awful anti-al Qaeda conspiracy theory? According to Zawahiri, there are several reasons why. In other words, for Zawahiri, al Qaeda and Iran it is all about the inner Muslim conflict between Sunnis and Shiites. But Zawahiri could not let it end there. Rather than presenting his argument - which many Muslims could find cogent and convincing, Zawahiri continues on with his own conspiracy theory i.e., his own lie. If it was obvious before, it is all the more obvious now. Al Qaeda and Iran hate one another. Zawahiri has spoken time and again about the intentions of Iran to hijack the Muslim agenda and take charge of the Muslim world. He has repeated over and over again his assertion that Iran is dangerous. Through his audio preachings Zawahiri is promoting the good that Sunni al Qaeda brings to the Muslim word. It is al Qaeda, says Zawahiri, who is fighting against Western evil. Al Qaeda, he says, is "the primary force opposing the Crusaders and challenging Iranian ambitions" in Iraq. He continues by throwing out the terms ? "Iranian collaborators complicity" and "Iranian agents." Those are fighting words. "Crusaders" is an obvious reference to the United States. "Agents" and "Collaborators" are very strong words in Arabic with serious historical connotations that can justify targeting and killing. The diatribes of Ayman Zawahiri have become familiar litany to all who listen. And the success of Iran in minimizing the role of al Qaeda can be directly linked to the frequency and intensity of those diatribes. Sunnis are running scared. Iran is posing a direct threat. Iranian policies, politics and activities are presenting a real challenge to al Qaeda. Iran’s involvement in destabilizing Iraq and their sprint to become a significant nuclear power minimizes the allure and grandeur of al Qaeda in the Muslim world. Muslim competition for guts and glory is heating up. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Carter And Obama
By Micah Halpern
Tuesday April 22, 2008 I've Been Thinking: It is primary day in Pennsylvania. Even Jimmy Carter, who until now has not endorsed a candidate, is talking about Obama. Carter reported that as he traveled throughout Asia and the Middle East the talk of the towns was about Barack Obama. It strikes me as very interesting that these countries have something to say about our election, that they are thinking about the Pennsylvania primary, about 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and the presidential election. But honestly - I care about as much for their opinion as I do about the opinion of former President Jimmy Carter. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Iran Bans Billiards
By Micah Halpern
Monday April 21, 2008 I'm Predicting: King Louis XIV, Mary Queen of Scots, FDR, and even George Washington all loved to play it. Iran has a long list of banned behaviors. The Iranians are trying to legislate behavior and morality. So Iran is trying to block the internet by having people who use internet cafes register with the religious police. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Israel Opens Mosque in Hospital
By Micah Halpern
Sunday April 20, 2008 I've Been Thinking: The hospital opened a mosque. Opening a mosque shows the real Israel at its best. For those who do not know, Israel really is a special place. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. It's Crazy Yeh?
By Micah Halpern
Saturday April 19, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Last week the Israeli oil contractors were killed in a terror attack. The terrorists were from Gaza. Why else and more importantly? Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Carter & Hamas Again
By Micah Halpern
Friday April 18, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Hamas leaders met with former US President and Nobel Laureate Jimmy Carter yesterday. From the stand point of Hamas, meeting with Carter gave their organization both credibility and standing. Let me be perfectly clear: Carter wants to even the playing field and for him, that objective is more important than preserving America. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Ahmadinejad's Rants About 9-11
By Micah Halpern
Thursday April 17, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Ahmadinejad just called the 9-11 attacks "suspicious." Here is the continuation of the quote: Truth is all the victims were named. Where does fact start and fiction begin with the Iranian president? The horror of it all is that Ahmadinejad delivers a convincing message to his audience. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. IN PLAIN ENGLISH, THE MAN FROM PLAINS, IS JUST PLAIN WRONG
By Micah Halpern
Wednesday April 16, 2008 Column: Jimmy Carter is probably not an Antisemite. He is probably not un-American. In plain English the gentleman from Plains, Georgia, is just plain WRONG! He is wrong about his take on events in the Middle East. Wrong about his perspective on how to solve conflicts in the Middle East and worldwide. Wrong about the self-important role he has chosen for himself to play - a former president of the United States turned humanitarian for the world. And because he is so wrong, so very wrong, and because he is so self-centered and single-minded he is doing much damage to the people he represents - the United States of America and to the people whose cause he is championing - the Palestinians. About Israel he doesn't really care, but he is, of course, doing damage there, as well. Whatever you think of Jimmy Carter, his is a name that packs weight. Around the world Jimmy Carter's face, with that broad grin and buck smile, is identifiable and recognized. Around the world Jimmy Carter is respected and highly acclaimed. His is the face of the United States that most of the world both likes and appreciates. His is the kind of face that most of the world wishes the rest of the United States had. But look closer and you will see the real face of Jimmy Carter. Look closer and you will see that the face of Jimmy Carter is fundamentally the face of a loser and a capitulator. Look closer and you will see that the famous smile masks a political career marred by catastrophic decision making and poor judgment. I am not referring only to the Iran hostage crisis which cost Carter the presidential election and a second term in office. I am referring to Jimmy Carter's attitude toward the world. The crisis in Iran is just one example of his skewed world perspective and his faulty, self-interested, analysis. During this trip to the Middle East Jimmy Carter, peacemaker, cum diplomat, cum thinker has bent over backwards to accommodate the enemies of the West, the enemies of the United States, the enemies of Israel and even the enemies of the people he proposes to save - the Palestinians. When Jimmy Carter meets and dialogues with Hamas leaders he is by extension bestowing upon those men and the organization they represent a place of stature in world diplomacy. The United States calls Hamas a terrorist organization. Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, major Arab players in the Middle East, are downplaying the stature of Hamas in their region. The Palestinian Authority is trying desperately to belittle the status and stature other Palestinians have bestowed upon Hamas and here Jimmy Carter goes and raises the stature and legitimacy bar. Carter bolsters Hamas. By meeting with this terrorist organization he is de facto recognizing Hamas and giving Hamas credence. Yes, Hamas also provides social, welfare and other services to certain Palestinians, but that does not make them any less terrorists. A murderer who stops off to deliver a bouquet of flowers to his mother on the way to committing his crime is still a murderer. To go and lay a wreath at Arafat's tomb is not to have learned from the investigations and realizations of corruption and malfeasance that became so obvious after Arafat's death. It is to ignore the facts in favor of predilections and predisposed notions. It is self-serving. It is not morally uplifting. It does not help the Palestinian cause, it perpetuates Palestinian myth and mythos. It buys into the worst part of the Carter gestalt, the world as seen through the eyes of Jimmy Carter, a point of view that says that everyone is the same, that everyone has equal weight. It is a point of view in which traditional enemies and traditional friends are put on an even keel. It is a point of view that obliterates the special relationship between Israel and the United States. The entire Arab world knows that there is a special relationship between Israel and the US. The only person who is either unaware of or in disagreement with that special relationship - I haven't yet figured out which - is Jimmy Carter and his small band of followers. Jimmy Carter needs to be sidelined - in the name of peace and peaceful co-existence. Jimmy Carter needs to be denied access and special State Department permission to undermine US diplomatic policy and practice. Jimmy Carter needs to get a swift kick in the ... but that would be inappropriate, un PC and downright - well, gosh darned it, downright wrong. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. The Pope's Speech at Ground Zero
By Micah Halpern
Tuesday April 15, 2008 I'm Predicting: I caught an advance peak at some of the Pope's US speeches. The speech that most interested me is the Papal address slated to be delivered Sunday at Ground Zero. The Pope will pray for the terrorist murderers, he will ask that they see the light, embrace peace and convert to Christianity. All of the Pope's presentations are written out and read. Here are the exact words as written in the speech: Expect that these comments coming on the heels of the public conversion to Catholicism by Madgi Allam - one of the most famous Muslims in Europe - will ignite Muslim wrath and indignation. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Gaza is Getting Fuel
By Micah Halpern
Monday April 14, 2008 Actually: Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Iran on The Security Council--Crazy
By Micah Halpern
Sunday April 13, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Have they no shame. The Iran plan is to replace Indonesia for the Asia seat and serve in 2010 - 2012. Irony of all ironies, Iran might actually get that seat at the table. What we are really seeing here is Iran's ability and desire to solve her diplomatic and international relations problems. This Iranian tactic is brilliant - and I hope it fails. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Terror Poison Scheme Foiled
By Micah Halpern
Saturday April 12, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Most of the people employed in Israeli restaurants are Arabs. Imagine if terrorists infiltrated a restaurant and poisoned the customers. Two Arabs from Nablus, a city on the West Bank, workers in a restaurant in the city of Ramat Gan (located seconds from Tel Aviv) intended to lace a white, odorless, tasteless powder into the food they were preparing in the kitchen. The restaurant, called Express Grill, is a fast food place that usually serves lunch to hundred of patrons every lunch. The terrorists, now under arrest, were working illegally in Israel. This was very effective intelligence. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Carter Will Meet Hamas
By Micah Halpern
Friday April 11, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Jimmy Carter has announced his plans to visit Syria to meet with Halad Mashaal, the leader of Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization. The State Department is saying that Carter has been in contact with them and made the proper requests. The States Department made it very clear that they do not recommend this discussion with Hamas. Carter correctly got permission from the State Department. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. US Push for Peace
By Micah Halpern
Thursday April 10, 2008 I've Been Thinking: The Palestinian Israeli agreement is not yet dead, but it is certainly dying. Meetings are scheduled for the next month aimed at motivating the primary players. The Quartet, UN, US, EU and Russia, are scheduled to meet in Amman, Jordan on April 17th. High level talks are on the horizon. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON SWITZERLAND
By Micah Halpern
Wednesday April 9, 2008 Column: Which European country is impartial? It could be a question on any TV game show. On Millionaire the answer should be worth no more than $100. On Smarter Than A Fifth Grader the kids would get it right away. The answer of course, is Switzerland. But really, here comes the buzzer, that answer is wrong. Which country claims to be impartial? That would be Switzerland. Which country hides behind impartiality? That would be Switzerland. But which country truly is impartial - Switzerland is not the answer. Switzerland has always had the reputation of being impartial. So impartial, in fact, that they are a country without an army. There is no need for protection if you are truly impartial, no reason to feel threatened if you are truly impartial. But Switzerland only pretends at impartiality, Switzerland has successfully put up a facade of impartiality and Switzerland is laughing all the way to the bank - and I mean that quite literally. During World War II, while the Germans were perpetrating a Holocaust by murdering millions of European Jews, the Swiss claimed impartiality and eagerly accepted German monies and Nazi monies. And then they saved the property and properties of those murdered Jews of Europe who put money in their banks for safe keeping. And when the few survivors tried to regain their family money and property the Swiss put stumbling blocks in their way, all in the name of impartiality. Swiss authorities asked for actual documentation on accounts, they asked for death certificates - they asked for material that was impossible to produce. They feigned ignorance. They pretended not to know that relocation and deportation were Nazi code for murdered. Switzerland has allowed, even encouraged, criminals and mafia lords to take advantage of their impartiality for years, using Swiss bank accounts to hide illegally gotten gains. And now, right now, Switzerland would have us believe that they are pursuing impartiality by investing in Iran and purchasing Iranian oil. In today's world impartiality is both unfeasible and almost impossible. Countries, especially Western countries, should take an interest in and be actively involved in regional and even global affairs - they should not hide behind the guise of impartiality in order to advance their own self interests and personal gain. In today's world that behavior is immoral and it is wrong. Societies must condemn evil and condemn the perpetrators of evil. Trading with Iran is supporting Iran and supporting Iranian policy. Iran is a state sponsor of terror. This is not open for question. Iran admits to supporting Hezbollah and Hamas, avowed and acknowledged terrorist organizations. By making a deal with Iran and by purchasing Iranian oil Switzerland is de facto supporting terror. Switzerland is now not only investing in Iran and buying oil from Iran, the Swiss government has signed a $30-$50 million a year renewable contract with Iran. The loudest voice to declaim this outright abuse of status is the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL has placed advertisements in major newspapers around the world, in European newspapers including Swiss papers and in leading papers across the United States including The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The ads have a clear message: "When you finance a terrorist state you finance terrorism." The Swiss have not learned the lessons of history. Once again their behavior is immoral, repugnant and dishonorable. Their insistence on touting their impartial status is bogus and dishonest. The Swiss are breaking the Western economic boycott of Iran because they are getting a good deal from Iran. And they hide behind their thin veil of impartiality. Shame on you Switzerland for lining the pockets of mass murdering terrorists. Shame on you Switzerland for hiding behind a false claim of superiority. Shame on you Switzerland for shunning your responsibility to the Western world. Shame on you, Switzerland. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Iran - US Talks About Iraq
By Micah Halpern
Tuesday April 8, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Yesterday the Iranians announced that they received a formal note from the United States asking for a meeting. In 2007 Iranian and United States diplomats met three times. This past March the same Iranian delegation that met with the US ambassador to Iraq ventured to Iraq for a 4th meeting with the United States. Now the United States and Iran will meet again. Iran is using Iraq. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Syria Is Freaking Out Over Israel
By Micah Halpern
Monday April 7, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Tensions are at the boiling point between Syria and Israel. The Israeli exercise, planned for Sunday through Tuesday, will include a national siren and instructions given over television and radio. Syria is freaking out and is hinting at calling up army reserves and amassing troops. One problem in the Middle East is that sometimes actions are misunderstood. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
PA Says No Solution to Gaza
By Micah Halpern
Sunday April 6, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad was quoted on Saturday in the Arabic media as saying: True - and deeply troubling. It is the United States that is deluded. The United States still believes that the Palestinian Authority has the power to stop the barrage of rockets shot into Israel on a daily basis. I hope the United States reads these statements of Fayyad. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Muslim Brotherhood Does What?
By Micah Halpern
Saturday April 5, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Egypt arrested 34 members of the Muslim Brotherhood yesterday. The strike has serious reformist overtones and is actually a pro-democracy rally. It doesn't make sense: The textile workers want to reform an oppressive regime and empower the people with more power in decision making and control. Here's the real reason why: The Muslim Brotherhood sees this strike as a way to drive a wedge between the Egyptian people and their leadership. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. China Cuts A Deal With Syria
By Micah Halpern
Friday April 4, 2008 I've Been Thinking: China is a major player in our world. Not surprisingly, China and Syria signed an oil refinery deal yesterday. China has accomplished two major goals. From China's point of view this was a very sly and successful agreement. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Al Qaeda's PR Problem
By Micah Halpern
Thursday April 3, 2008 I've Been Thinking: Ayman Zawahiri has a lot to say. "We haven't killed the innocents, not in Baghdad nor in Morocco, nor in Algeria, nor anywhere else." Was this pure arrogance? Who knows - this might just work. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. What Islam Really Thinks About You
By Micah Halpern
Tuesday April 2, 2008 I've Been Thinking: The world's leading Muslim Wahabi leader is Sheik Abdul Rahman al Barrak. In March in a rare fatwa or religious edict, al Barrak called for the deaths of two newspaper columnists. What were these heretical views? The West has been brainwashed to believe that Christians and Jews are seen as believers by classic Islam. Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click. Powered by Movable Type Site design by Sekimori
|