Joe Conason: Middle East Crisis Blows Up Bush’s Illusions

Joe Conason / Truthdig Jul 20, 2006 The recent bloodshed in Israel, Lebanon and Iraq is a tough lesson in "what happens when the leadership of 'the indispensable nation' takes a mental vacation." Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Lebanon “Torn to Shreds”

Staff / Truthdig Jul 20, 2006 Fouad Siniora, the Lebanese prime minister, called for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah and announced that more than 300 people had been killed in his country during the week of attacks. Twenty-nine Israelis have been killed since the fighting began. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Stewart Slams Lebanon Coverage

Staff / Truthdig Jul 19, 2006 "The Daily Show" host offers a roundup of Lebanon reporting and confronts the media's seeming inability to process the crisis. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.S. to Allow Israel Another Week of Bombing in Lebanon

Staff / Truthdig Jul 19, 2006 That's apparently the consensus emerging from the two countries; Israel would be given a week to further weaken Hezbollah, at which point Condoleezza Rice would travel to the region and try to establish a buffer zone. Strange, to be hearing about such plans in advance. Meanwhile, the first Israeli ground troops have entered Lebanon Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Truthdig Exclusive: Rep. Kucinich’s Resolution Calls on Bush to Push for Cease-Fire

Staff / Truthdig Jul 19, 2006 Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) introduced a resolution Wednesday that calls on President Bush to appeal to all sides for a cessation of hostilities in the Israeli-Lebanon conflict and to commit the United States to multiparty negotiations, along with support for an international peacekeeping mission during the talks. Also, read the speech that Rep. Kucinich delivered on the House floor on Tuesday that warned of "mutually assured destruction" if saner heads do not soon prevail in the Middle East. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Robert Scheer: What Bush’s Open Mike Revealed

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Jul 19, 2006 In the midst of a Middle Eastern crisis that threatens to destabilize the entire region and perhaps beyond, it was unnerving that what most seemed to interest President Bush at the G8 summit is that China is a long flight from western Russia. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Israeli Girls Write Messages on Lebanon-Bound Shells

Staff / Truthdig Jul 19, 2006 A nauseating sign of the times: Preteen Israeli girls at a heavy artillery position in northern Israel are photographed apparently gleefully scrawling their names and other inscriptions on shells destined to be dropped on Lebanon. One reads "Nazrala with love" -- a reference to Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasarallah. (h/t: Zak Brown) We find it disgusting whenever the ordnance of ANY country bears these kinds of messages. But to see children doing the writing is almost beyond the pale. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Yo Bush!’ Tony Blair Mocked as U.S. Poodle

Staff / Truthdig Jul 18, 2006 Responding to Monday's "open mike" incident in Russia, The Guardian said Blair "all but offers to carry [Condoleezza Rice's] bags" to the Middle East (Bush denied him), revealing Blair's subservient role in the relationship. (article, British press reactions) Not to mention the fact that Bush carried on the conversation about one of the most dangerous powder kegs in the world while chewing with an open mouth and barely looking at Blair. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israel Says Offensive Could Last Weeks

Staff / Truthdig Jul 18, 2006 That's the assessment of the head of Israel's northern army command. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike killed at least 16 people near Beirut and Hezbollah killed at least one with another rocket volley into northern Israel; the toll has risen to at least 227 killed in Lebanon and 25 in Israel. However, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni gave the first hope that earnest efforts are underway to find a cease-fire solution. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Colbert’s Middle East Proposal: Worship Miss Israel & Miss Lebanon

Staff / Truthdig Jul 18, 2006 As violence once again wracks that troubled region, "The Colbert Report" host reminds us that the 2006 Miss Universe Pageant is this weekend. "Let's forget about the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, and focus instead on the competition between Miss Israel and Miss Lebanon." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israeli Generals

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Jul 18, 2006 Dig deeper

Israel Softens Stance on Cease-Fire Conditions

Staff / Truthdig Jul 17, 2006 The Israeli prime minister appeared to drop his country's insistence that Hezbollah must be dismantled before Israel discontinues its attack. (You have to scan down the article to see the "softening." Israel is still demanding release of its two captured soldiers, a cessation of rocket attacks on Israel, and the deployment of the Lebanese army along the border.) This may be just a blip, but it's encouraging to see Israel appearing to be open to compromise. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )