Moderates Arise

I think the most interesting change in the world in the past few days is the rise of moderate opinion in the Middle East.

Sand Monkey talks about the shift in mood in Lebanon.

I think it's very interesting the moodshift that all of my friends- many of them are anti-Israeli- are experiencing towards the attacks on Hezbollah: Many of them think Israel is right at doing what it's doing. Some- whoa re of lebanese orgion- are even hoping for the complete destruction of Hezbollah. It's surreal.

The Augean Stables advise their Palestinian brothers to grow up. He quotes Youssef Ibrahim writing in the NY Sun:

Dear Palestinian Arab brethren:

The war with Israel is over.

You have lost. Surrender and negotiate to secure a future for your children.

We, your Arab brothers, may say until we are blue in the face that we stand by you, but the wise among you and most of us know that we are moving on, away from the tired old idea of the Palestinian Arab cause and the “eternal struggle” with Israel.

Dear friends, you and your leaders have wasted three generations trying to fight for Palestine, but the truth is the Palestine you could have had in 1948 is much bigger than the one you could have had in 1967, which in turn is much bigger than what you may have to settle for now or in another 10 years. Struggle means less land and more misery and utter loneliness.

The Stables also discusses how the Arab elites are using the Palestinians as cannon fodder. Something I also covered a few months back and more recently as well.

Free Syria talks about the God of destruction

The GOD of destruction needs some sacrifices on his altar and who is better than his loyal servants in the middle east…innocent victims meeting their fate and being fed to their cruel death by the priests of extremist hatefull ideologies. These ideologies are nurtured by injustice and abuse of power, or on the other side feeling insecure with possible guilt deep inside…Witnessing are the big powers who don’t give a shit about Israely, Syrian or Lebanese people…in their mind, we are all a lower race who enjoy fighting each other…let the show continue…just like the slaves used to fight the Lions to entertain the Romans rulers.

Hmmmmm. He puts the Israeli, Lebanese, and Syrian people on the same side. The future of the Middle East may be brighter than these dark days indicate.

Lebanese Bloggers, a group blog with lots of news and views says:

I don't know what to say anymore. Sayyid Nasrallah is still alive and declaring an open war. Where is our President? Where are our Ministers? Prime Minister? Members of Parliament?

All these institutions and the guardians of these institutions are obsolete at this point. Nasrallah is leading the show. He's defying everything and everyone. He is assuming the position of the guardian of the Prophet's Family, against all odds. This is not about Lebanon anymore; this is about Nasrallah's pride.

The Iran-Syria Axis has just fully materialized!

I'd say it was pretty much unanimous. Iran and Syria.

Vox's Den is pretty upset with Nasrallah.

The real tragedy is that there’s only one Hezbollah thug killed until now; meanwhile 60 innocent civilians are lying on the ground. These fanatics justified their existence by pretending that they defended Lebanon against Israel. They are now hiding behind (and under) the civilians they claim to defend. Who’s defending whom exactly?

Go to hell Nasrallah, you and all your terrorists.

Austin Bay has a look at strategy and tactics. While I look at Grand Strategy from an Israeli perspective.

The Jerusalem Post hears the moderate voices.

It is interesting that upprovoked war against Israel has brought the moderates out. Especially in Lebanon and Iraq.

Truth Laid Bear has the latest links

jdwill left this link in the comments. Lots of Lebanese blogs and news.

Normblog presents a perspective from the non-insane left.

J Bloggers have lots of links. And a list of upcoming pro Israel rallies.

Technorati:
Israel, Shalit, Olmert, Palistinians, Middle East, Hamas, Middle East Rules, Lebanese Rules, Ariel Sharon, Lebanon, Hasbara, Gaza, Hezbollah, Hizbollah, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Nasrallah, Palestine