Many Middle East experts believe that Israel timed its move against Hamas, which began with airstrikes on Dec. 26, 25 days before Mr. Bush leaves office, with the expectation of such backing in Washington.
Israeli officials could not be certain that President-elect Barack Obama, despite past statements of sympathy for Israel’s right of self-defense, would match the Bush administration’s unconditional endorsement.
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1 comment:
As a chess move, I'd say that the Gaza military action is just bad form. Barack Obama's handlers will have a hard time presenting him as a political Pele on international affairs with this pile of stink following him wherever he goes. It also makes the US public relations propaganda on the current wars ring totally hollow, especially to Muslim allies.
Why go there if you're Israel? My guess is that if you're hellbent on a war with Iran, undeniable comparisons with infamous dictatorships mean nothing in the long run anyways.
I can't help but think that a propane disaster next to Canadian Forces Base Downsview in Toronto in August was supposed to be seven times greater and occur on Boxing Day, 2008. Also, the Mumbai "Bollywood" attack would have been the perfect distraction for the Gaza bloodbath if India and Pakistan went for each other throats, and only the economy made cooler heads prevail there.
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