It looks obvious

Beside of gloating, about the religiously devoted Mel Gibson drunken driving, who really cares about his anti-semitic remarks?

Another page can be added today to the long tradition of French fine Realpolitik . Following the support for Saddam Hussein’s regime, nuclear facility included and the cover up efforts of the genocide in Darfur to secure oil drilling rights the French providing today a small statement of their view of the Middle East.

In a visit to Beirut the French foreign minister announced today that:

It will be interesting to know what is the payoff the French anticipates from this position. Israel, however, should insist that the French will not be part of the international force that will enforce UN resultion 1559. I support integrating units from Egypt and Soudia Arabia but I think it will be a stupid mistake to let the French in.

Memri published a good review about the support Iran provides the Hezbullah. The fact that Iran and Syria getting out of this war without any damage (and I mean mainly diplomatic damage) will encourage them to continue to be the warmongers of the Middle-East.

Link: Iranian Assistance to Hizbullah

On July 29, 2006, the London Arabic daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat published a detailed article on assistance extended to Hizbullah by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, as reported by a high-ranking Revolutionary Guards officer who had trained Hizbullah naval units. According to the officer, Hizbullah has a diver unit and a naval commando unit. He further claims that Revolutionary Guards officers assisted Hizbullah in the July 14, 2006 firing of a C802 missile at an Israeli Navy ship, and had also helped Hizbullah construct underground facilities – including command and control rooms – which are being operated by Revolutionary Guards officers along with Hizbullah fighters.

In addition, Iranian news agencies have published a number of reports about groups of Iranian volunteers sent to Lebanon to aid Hizbullah in its fight against Israel.

I just found this week that mortgage is a taxable item. Can someone explain the moral justification for such tax? because I can’t.

Kofi Annan’s promotion to the his current rule followed his great success as the head of UN peacekeeping operations:

Following his record of complete disconnect, Mr. Annan accusation , earlier this week, would have prevented would he know what the UN observers from Lebanon reported :

Despite the general skepticism I developed a lot of hopes for the success of BPL . I believe that the real answer to the risks to Net Neutrality   is in development of options that will break the control of the Baby Bells on the broadband connection. And unlike the conventional explanations of Google’s investment in BPL technology I think that in part it was to mitigate this type of risks.

Reading today that Current raised another major investment along with its operational expansion seems as a major step in the right direction and I can only hope that they will be able to become a major broadband player. 

As time pass this war become a test case for the West in one side and The fundamentalists on the other to shape the future. If Israel will not win this war, and a victory in this war is simply to  disable to Hezbullah ability to terrorize Israel, it will open a hornet’s nest that will make the life in Israel complete hell. More to this point, non-victory will prevent any chance to peace with the Palestinians. But the effect of such undesired will not effect Israel alone, because Israel is not the real target of these attacks.

I don’t know if Israel was ready to such crucial battle, one of the hardest it ever faced. However once this war developed to what it become their is no way back. The Iranian seem to understand that and they are backing up their messenger with ammunition and political power. Bush’s administration seem to understand this as well, but I’m not sure Europe is on board.

It is encouraging to read Jeff Jarvis’s analysis today putting the finger on the main issue:

If you are looking for great restaurant in NYC I recommend considering this place . From the atmosphere and the service through the great hospitality and the wonderful food it is a guarantied pleasure.

For what my recommendation worth - don’t miss this place.

Despite the situation, Israeli companies are still attractive investment. Yaron Galai calls it - Israel’s export and it seems that he is right. 

Link: H-P to Pay $4.5 Billion To Buy Mercury Interactive

SAN FRANCISCO - -Hewlett-Packard Co. said it will pay $4.5 billion to buy Mercury Interactive Corp., a move designed to broaden the big computer maker’s software business.

Mercury, once a Silicon Valley high-flier, specializes in programs that help companies develop and test their own business software, and manage such development projects. More recently, however, the company is better known as one of the first companies enmeshed in the current scandal over stock-options manipulation.

A review of the achievements of the Kofi Annan will include the famous Oil for Food scandal . In the other hand The General Secretary can be proud at blocking any meaningful international involvement in Rwanda and in Darfur.

But Mr. Annan is specially bright when its come to Israel. When The last cycle of violence broke with the Hezbollah  ambushing Israeli patrol  Mr. Annan harried to condemn Israel . And today as the news of Israeli bombing UN post he rushed to accuse Israel for "Apparently deliberate targeting" the UN post.

God, he makes me miss Kurt Waldheim …

And a serious note: It is a sad fact that during fighting soldiers sometimes getting shot by "friendly fire". It happened too often during the last few days and it should handled severely.