The US has halted the bombing campaign against Iran again. This time (same as last time?) it is to give diplomacy another chance. Of course this all looks suspiciously like we’ve been here before. Has anything really changed?
From my point of view, Trump is almost desperate to find a way to get out of an unpopular war. It’s true that the war is costing a lot of money, but it has not cost very many American lives. Claims that the US air attacks have caused severe damage to Iran, even if true, do not mean the Iranian regime is ready to agree to US terms.
Alongside that propaganda dance there is another one going on in Gaza. The US is claiming a “new” breakthrough. Hamas has agreed to disarm. But that’s just part of the story. Hamas has agreed to disarm only AFTER Israel withdraws completely from Gaza. Why was that “little” detail left out? Did someone forget that the original cease-fire in Gaza (which Hamas agreed to) called for Hamas to disarm BEFORE the deployment of international peace-keepers. The last time I looked (about 30 seconds go) Armed Hamas ‘police’ were still in complete control of all
of Gaza where there was no Israeli military presence. That international governing authority is ‘officially’ in control, with Hamas still receiving all the international aid, and distributing it as
Hamas sees fit. The only difference is that there is an extra level of administration added to the top of the pyramid which is doing nothing to curtail Hamas control of everything.
No Hamas soldiers have turned in their weapons, not even to a ‘temporary’ storage facility that Hamas defined as representing actual disarmament. No rockets have been launched at Israel, but miles of sewage and water pipes have been dug up to be sent to local ‘factories’ as the basis for the bodies of new rockets.
In a recent broadcast CNN said they were being allowed to report freely from Hamas controlled Gaza. That claim does not mention that the reporters are still being aided by guides and interpreters whose very presence inhibits an Gazan residents who might consider saying anything about Hamas rule from speaking truthfully. The current situation is one of ‘Trust, but verify’ with the last word omitted.
Wetherhorn 