Meanwhile on the International front....

When Netanyahu decided to go into Rafah, any chance of a deal was dead. That's what I meant.

The U.S. may yet make a deal with the Saudis, but any chance of getting the Saudis to help broker a larger deal with the Palestinians is gone unless the Israelis back off on the invasion and destruction. I don't see that happening unless Bibi is forced out somehow.

 

Are you kidding me? Sunak appears to base Tory hopes on England and Scotland Euro footy success.

Rishi Sunak takes gamble by calling UK general election for 4 July

 

Though one article I read indicated that there are at least a few positive economic indicators for the Tories right now, I suspect Sunak may have been taking his political advice from the ghost of Bobby Knight, if you get my drift.

I'm kind of pissed because British election night is fantastic theater (each constituency reads the votes live on a stage with all candidates present) and there's no way I can watch BBC live when at my family's cabin without everyone making fun of me.

The announcement, which Sunak did outside in the pouring rain while someone was playing the UK political anthem equivalent of "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac would be to a Republican, needed just a bad Dire Straits cover away from being real-life West Wing cosplay.

 

Just missed this gem after escaping Europe as a youngun. Hasselhoff would've done it better.

 

Quit thinking anybody cares about the Palestinians.

 

Maybe they don't, but at least seeming like they do as a form of political cover could very well be a factor in all this. What everyone should keep in mind is that if that deal happens, Hamas loses. That should be a goal everyone can get behind.

 

They care about the economic consequences of the conflict spreading into the larger Middle East. They care about money and power. They care about the cost of oil on the world market, which is directly affected by events there.

In a larger sense, Gaza and the West Bank have been an open wound and a sourse of friction in the region since 1967, and there is no chance of a lasting peace in the area until it is settled. There is no way to a lasting peace there that does not include a homeland with fixed and lasting borders for both the Israelis and the Palestinians and an agreement that both have a right to exist.

 

That's all true. It's also true that the various Arab countries (except Jordan) have done little to absorb or help the Palestinians. In some cases having it as an open sore that Israel had to deal with suited them, as those troops and resources deployed there weakened Israel's power in the greater region.

So Hamas can't run it. I'm seeing some signs that Israel might be willing to deal with the Palestinian Authority under different leadership. That would be necessary to get many Palestinians in on it as well. All I'm saying is that you can't bomb your way to peace. It will require two nations, a shitload of money, and an outside nation/coalition of nations as peacekeeper... and not the U.S.

Israel is repeating every mistake the U.S. made in Iraq.

 

ok

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveils regional plan to build a “massive free trade zone” with rail service to NEOM

 

Bibi is going to build Tomorrowland?

 

When are we going to stop pretending that we can keep China out of Taiwan?

https://twitter.com/ianellisjones/status/1794183467623751810?s=46&t=UH_wsfZqbkE5nNxvKsFjZw