World News Thread & Breaking News!!

[bd popeye]

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JERUSALEM (AP) — With little notice, Israel has launched a blistering air offensive against the Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas militant group. Here's a look at why the violence erupted, the goals of the warring sides and how it may end:

LIGHTNING STRIKE

Israel opened its offensive with a surprise airstrike on Nov. 14 that killed the shadowy leader of Hamas' military wing. Since then, it has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in what it says is a systematic campaign to halt years of rocket attacks launched from Gaza. While Israel claims to have inflicted heavy damage, dozens of rockets have continued to fly out of Gaza each day.

WHY NOW?

Israel launched the operation in response to days of rocket attacks out of Gaza, highlighted by a rare missile strike on an Israeli military jeep that wounded four soldiers. But the operation was actually years in the making. Since a previous Israeli offensive four years ago, Hamas has restocked its arsenal with more sophisticated and powerful weapons smuggled in from Egypt through underground tunnels. After a lull following Israel's previous offensive, rocket fire has steadily climbed the past two years. The Israeli military says more than 700 rockets were launched into Israel this year before it launched the offensive last week. In this environment, Israeli officials have said it was only a matter of time before a new round of fighting broke out.

THE BATTELFIELD

Hamas seized control of Gaza, a densely populated strip of land sandwiched between southern Israel and Egypt's Sinai desert, five years ago from the rival Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas, a militant group sworn to Israel's destruction, has developed is rocket arsenal to the point where nearly half of Israel's population is in range.

WHY FIRE ROCKETS?

Palestinian militants, led by Hamas, say the rocket fire is a legitimate response to continued Israeli attacks. They also claim they are resisting Israeli occupation of the territory. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, ending a 38-year military occupation. But it has maintained a blockade of the territory in a step it says is needed to prevent arms smuggling. In the murky world of Gaza politics, the attacks also stem from internal rivalries between groups eager to prove their militant credentials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says no country would tolerate repeated missile attacks on its civilians.

RISKY BUSINESS

Prolonged fighting carries great risks for both sides. As Israel presses forward, the number of Palestinian civilian casualties is likely to rise — a scenario that could quickly turn international opinion against it. Israel's previous offensive left hundreds of civilians dead, drawing international condemnation and war crimes accusations. By continuing to fire rockets, Hamas raises the risk of tougher Israeli attacks, including a possible ground offensive. Well aware of these risks, both sides are working through mediators to arrange a cease-fire.

TERMS OF THE DEAL

Israel wants a halt to the rocket attacks and an end to arms smuggling into Gaza, most likely in a deal that is guaranteed by Egypt or other international parties. Hamas wants a halt to Israeli assassinations of its leaders and a lifting of the Israeli blockade. While gaps remain wide, both sides have strong interests in a deal. Bringing quiet to Israel's embattled south will make Netanyahu a national hero, weeks before parliamentary elections. Hamas, branded a terrorist group by Israel and the West, has seen its influence grow as the Arab Spring brings Islamists to power across the region. A cease-fire, particularly an arrangement guaranteed with international partners, would cement Hamas' control of Gaza and give it more of the international recognition it covets so much.

BY THE NUMBERS

—More than 100 Palestinians, half of them civilians, have been killed, according to Palestinian medical officials. Three Israeli civilians have died from rocket fire.

—Israel has attacked more than 1,350 targets in the current offensive, according to the Israeli army. Hamas and smaller armed groups have responded with nearly 600 rockets, the army says.

—Israel says its new "Iron Dome" rocket-defense system has shot down more than 300 incoming projectiles.

 

[SteelBird]

Test posting a photo: Obama in Cambodia

 

[ManilaBoy45]

Tensions Flare Over SCS at ASEAN Summit ...

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In a sign of tension, Philippine President Benigno Aquino disputed the Cambodian statement and said no such agreement was reached, voicing his objections in tense final minutes of discussions between Noda and Southeast Asian leaders.

As Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen began to conclude the meeting with Noda, Aquino abruptly raised his hand and tersely interjected.

"There were several views expressed yesterday on ASEAN unity which we did not realize would be translated into an ASEAN consensus," he said, according to his spokesman. "For the record, this was not our understanding. The ASEAN route is not the only route for us. As a sovereign state, it is our right to defend our national interests."

 

[airsuperiority]

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It's another sad day. Over 100 died, with 58 of them as civilians. Whenever Hamas rockets fall, so do Palestinian civlian refugees. Although Israel has the right to self-defend, I do not agree with its aggressiveness, and certainly not the Western support. It's safe to say that the Western states are at fault too for the continual support of Israel, which fueled its behaviour.

 

[airsuperiority]

The advantage of using mice is that these have a very short generation time. But that means a short life and a relatively simple defense against infections and cancer. The advantage of pigs is that they have a somewhat longer generation time, but still pretty short and so they don't resemble people well enough to spend effort on them before going to human trials.

Also easier to raise, easier to maintain, and they F like crazy. And of course cheaper

 

[jackliu]

It's another sad day. Over 100 died, with 58 of them as civilians. Whenever Hamas rockets fall, so do Palestinian civlian refugees. Although Israel has the right to self-defend, I do not agree with its aggressiveness, and certainly not the Western support. It's safe to say that the Western states are at fault too for the continual support of Israel, which fueled its behaviour.

This is a war that will go on for a LONG LONG time to come. I don't even call it war anymore, more like a reality TV show that have a terrible rating, but it just kept getting renew season after season.

In the old days problem like this would be solved within 3 month, the stronger side would use it is military to genocide the land to take it over. Now in today's world you just can't do that anymore without suffering gigantic backlash.

I think in the long term Israel is one that is destined to lose. Superior hardware don't mean crap if you can't use it decisively to solve your problem. On the other hand the Palestinians are building the most powerful weapon out there, crazy birth rate. In 50-100 years Israel is going to be outnumbered like 10-1 by someone who hates their guts. Israel is pushing itself in a corner, the more they humiliate the Palestinian the greater the build up of anger, I think we are going into the 4th generation of kids bring born in the refugee camp who grow up knowing nothing but anger and hatred towards Israel.

Poor Israel, they should have made a deal with Palestinian 30-40 years ago when they had the chance, make peace with them, help them develop their own economy and society that is friendly toward Israel. But now it is too late, it's all going down hill from here.

This really make me appreciate China's diplomacy towards Taiwan, the way they use cultural exchange and trade to win over other the other side.

 

[airsuperiority]

This is a war that will go on for a LONG LONG time to come. I don't even call it war anymore, more like a reality TV show that have a terrible rating, but it just kept getting renew season after season.

In the old days problem like this would be solved within 3 month, the stronger side would use it is military to genocide the land to take it over. Now in today's world you just can't do that anymore without suffering gigantic backlash.

I think in the long term Israel is one that is destined to lose. Superior hardware don't mean crap if you can't use it decisively to solve your problem. On the other hand the Palestinians are building the most powerful weapon out there, crazy birth rate. In 50-100 years Israel is going to be outnumbered like 10-1 by someone who hates their guts. Israel is pushing itself in a corner, the more they humiliate the Palestinian the greater the build up of anger, I think we are going into the 4th generation of kids bring born in the refugee camp who grow up knowing nothing but anger and hatred towards Israel.

Poor Israel, they should have made a deal with Palestinian 30-40 years ago when they had the chance, make peace with them, help them develop their own economy and society that is friendly toward Israel. But now it is too late, it's all going down hill from here.

This really make me appreciate China's diplomacy towards Taiwan, the way they use cultural exchange and trade to win over other the other side.

Well Israel and Palestine aren't the same ethnic group, not even close, so you couldn't compare it that way. However I do also agree, that the only reason the Israeli's attitudes go unchecked for now is simply because the West has its back. If there's an alternate universe where only the Middle East exist, I won't be surprised if the entire nation of Israel would really be long wiped from the map by all the angry neighbors and the entire Arab World.

 

[jackliu]

Well Israel and Palestine aren't the same ethnic group, not even close, so you couldn't compare it that way. However I do also agree, that the only reason the Israeli's attitudes go unchecked for now is simply because the West has its back. If there's an alternate universe where only the Middle East exist, I won't be surprised if the entire nation of Israel would really be long wiped from the map by all the angry neighbors and the entire Arab World.

You don't HAVE to be the same blood to reconciliate with each other. That was just an example of diplomacy thump over hostility. You might think China and Taiwan today are inevitable to end up this way, but this is not so, go read about the many Taiwan strait crisis over the years, all the spies they captured and executed on both side, all the artillery they fired at each other. 35 years ago if you were to tell people that China and Taiwan will be trading billions of dollars a year, that each side's tourist and celebrities are visiting the other on a daily basis you would be laugh at.

And don't forget about the Koreans, the they still hate each other. As for Israel, it was actually much more in their interest to make peace with Palestinian than Mainland and Taiwan imo, because they are not separated by an ocean, they live next to each other. The way they treat each other is really bad for business for everyone. And I actually think it is not as much as West have it is back, I think it has to do more with the changing of world sentiment over how conflict is evolving over the time, you just can't invade another nation and kill off all of it is people anymore, which was a regular practice for over 2000 years. But if there is no such restraint, I think the war is Israel to win, they would easily genocide half of Middle East population in a month if they wanted.

 

[airsuperiority]

You don't HAVE to be the same blood to reconciliate with each other. That was just an example of diplomacy thump over hostility. You might think China and Taiwan today are inevitable to end up this way, but this is not so, go read about the many Taiwan strait crisis over the years, all the spies they captured and executed on both side, all the artillery they fired at each other. 35 years ago if you were to tell people that China and Taiwan will be trading billions of dollars a year, that each side's tourist and celebrities are visiting the other on a daily basis you would be laugh at.

And don't forget about the Koreans, the they still hate each other. As for Israel, it was actually much more in their interest to make peace with Palestinian than Mainland and Taiwan imo, because they are not separated by an ocean, they live next to each other. The way they treat each other is really bad for business for everyone. And I actually think it is not as much as West have it is back, I think it has to do more with the changing of world sentiment over how conflict is evolving over the time, you just can't invade another nation and kill off all of it is people anymore, which was a regular practice for over 2000 years. But if there is no such restraint, I think the war is Israel to win, they would easily genocide half of Middle East population in a month if they wanted.

What I mean is that same ethnic groups may be more inclined to seek diplomatic or peaceful means than 2 groups of different backgrounds. Reasons being that groups of same backgrounds have more in common will share also greater familiarity.

As for the rest, I do think the Western backing have a strong influence. Weapons, for example, would have been one major thing. Without the West, the Israelis won't be flying F-15Is and etc.

 

[no_name]

Well Israel and Palestine aren't the same ethnic group, not even close, so you couldn't compare it that way.

Aren't they both Semitic people?

"Genetic analysis suggests that a majority of the Muslims of Palestine, inclusive of Arab citizens of Israel, are descendants of Christians, Jews and other earlier inhabitants of the southern Levant whose core reaches back to prehistoric times. A study of high-resolution haplotypes demonstrated that a substantial portion of Y chromosomes of Israeli Jews (70%) and of Palestinian Muslim Arabs (82%) belonged to the same chromosome pool"