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[MetalSlimeHunt]

We're always gambling with our power projection, goodwill is just another factor among many. We might lose out, but we also might gain. Its a lot easier to maintain major military bases in places that genuinely like the owner of said bases. Hence why we've been having so much trouble with our presence in Pakistan. I think that this is an instance where we shouldn't be playing the safe, cynical line that has become our geopolical norm.

People remember when you help them out, and they also remember when you don't. A day might come when Bahrain isn't Saudi's puppet any more, or when Saudi isn't willing to reign them in for us, and then we will lose our base. No one is going to say that they should keep an American presence around if they remember our government doing nothing for them while the Saudis abused them, especially since we helped Libya and Syria.

[Zangi]

Hedge the bets in your favor.  Democracy in South America and the Middle East does not fall in favor of your Foreign Policy, because now they are more likely to say no.
Dictators that you prop up are in favor of your Foreign Policy, just keep the 'aid' coming my friend and you can do as you like.

So yea, where do you bet your money?  Heck, if I am the one to make the decision... Compliant Dictators ALL THE WAY BABY. 
But... right now, I stand on my morale soapbox denouncing such a hyprocritic policy in foreign affairs.

[Descan]

ptw

[Guardian G.I.]

War has broken up in the Gaza Strip: The leader of the military wing of Hamas was killed in a Israeli air strike. The Hamas militants responded to his death by shelling southern Israeli cities. Israeli aircraft are currently bombing Gaza; unconfirmed reports indicate IDF is pulling tanks towards the border with the Gaza Strip.
Tel-Aviv was nearly hit by several Hamas missiles.

Pro-Palestine news sources claim that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military operation in order to secure his victory on the upcoming elections.

[PTTG??]

I've gradually come around to the idea that the best thing to do about the middle east is to have generous immigration reform in the west. Then, allow the three or four reasonable people to come join us in the modern world.

Allow the remainder to play war in the least habitable place on earth.

The end.

[RedKing]

War has broken up in the Gaza Strip: The leader of the military wing of Hamas was killed in a Israeli air strike. The Hamas militants responded to his death by shelling southern Israeli cities. Israeli aircraft are currently bombing Gaza; unconfirmed reports indicate IDF is pulling tanks towards the border with the Gaza Strip.
Tel-Aviv was nearly hit by several Hamas missiles.

Pro-Palestine news sources claim that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military operation in order to secure his victory on the upcoming elections.

Oy. Somewhere, Obama is rubbing his forehead and muttering to himself, "Now why in the hell did I want this job for another four years?"

[Darvi]

I've gradually come around to the idea that the best thing to do about the middle east is to have generous immigration reform in the west. Then, allow the three or four reasonable people to come join us in the modern world.

Allow the remainder to play war in the least habitable place on earth.

The end.

But why would they want to fight in the Antarctic?

[RedKing]

I've gradually come around to the idea that the best thing to do about the middle east is to have generous immigration reform in the west. Then, allow the three or four reasonable people to come join us in the modern world.

Allow the remainder to play war in the least habitable place on earth.

The end.

But why would they want to fight in the Antarctic?

I think we need to quietly modify the Bible, Torah and Quran and make it so that God actually gives Antarctica to his chosen people. The new Psalms 23 would have verses like "Thy rod and thy snowshoe, they comfort me. He leadeth me beside frozen glaciers, and maketh the orca lie down with the Emperor penguin."

[PTTG??]

Well, say what you might, but Antarctica has substantially fewer land mines and much more fresh water reserves than some other places. OK, so the beaches leave something to be desired...

[MetalSlimeHunt]

We could combine it with Lovecraft, since Antarctica really is the promised land in the Mythos.

Anyway, Israel and Hamas are a conflict of head-smashing proportions. One of these days one of them is going to go too far and turn the region into a bloodbath. At least Fatah has been staying out of this one.

[Darvi]

He leadeth me beside frozen glaciers, and maketh the orca lie down with the Emperor penguin."

ಠ_ಠ

[Owlbread]

We could combine it with Lovecraft, since Antarctica really is the promised land in the Mythos.

Anyway, Israel and Hamas are a conflict of head-smashing proportions. One of these days one of them is going to go too far and turn the region into a bloodbath. At least Fatah has been staying out of this one.

I've read that Israel's killing of the Hamas military leader was a faux pas because he was always a key member of peace talks. Or at least instrumental in them.

[RedKing]

One of these days one of them is going to go too far and turn the region into a bloodbath.

Not sure if ironic or not.
:fry.jpg

That's like saying "I daresay, those chaps having a spot of riot in Detroit should be careful, lest they damage the city's image."

[Owlbread]

One of these days one of them is going to go too far and turn the region into a bloodbath.

Not sure if ironic or not.
:fry.jpg

That's like saying "I daresay, those chaps having a spot of riot in Detroit should be careful, lest they damage the city's image."

By bloodbath I think we're meaning more of a bloodbath than what we have seen thus far.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

We could combine it with Lovecraft, since Antarctica really is the promised land in the Mythos.

Anyway, Israel and Hamas are a conflict of head-smashing proportions. One of these days one of them is going to go too far and turn the region into a bloodbath. At least Fatah has been staying out of this one.

I've read that Israel's killing of the Hamas military leader was a faux pas because he was always a key member of peace talks. Or at least instrumental in them.

At this point I don't care who is in the right, I just want them to stop killing each other and try to have a peace process.

Still, I question the likelihood that the military leadership of Hamas would want peace, being that Hamas is extremely Islamist and responsible for a lot of the "Push the Jews into the sea" rhetoric.

I don't know why Fatah is even trying to cooperate with them. They should just leave Hamas and Gaza to their own devices and negotiate for West Bank independently.

One of these days one of them is going to go too far and turn the region into a bloodbath.

Not sure if ironic or not.
:fry.jpg

That's like saying "I daresay, those chaps having a spot of riot in Detroit should be careful, lest they damage the city's image."

I mean a different kind of bloodbath. "Smuggle a suitcase nuke into Jerusalem"-level bloodbath.