T. Belman. I have maintained that the US is not abandoning its allies in the ME and she is committed to pushing Iran back. The recent bombing of the chemical sites was only the beginning. Israel independantly has been targeting Iran and Hezbollah. Then in my Sykes-Picot article I suggested bringing the Saudis in and strengthening the Kurds. Stay tuned.
White House reportedly aiming to bring regional Arab troops to Syria instead of US forces, preventing ISIS comeback and Iranian foothold.
The Trump administration is seeking to assemble an Arab force in Syria that would replace the US military presence there, US officials told The Wall Street Journal.
According to the officials, the administration has asked Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to contribute billions of dollars to help restore northern Syria, and wants Arab nations to send troops to the area.
In line with the plan, the officials said that new National Security Adviser John Bolton had recently called Egypt’s acting intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, to see if Egypt would play a role in the effort.
According to the report, the goal of the regional Arab force would be to work with local Kurdish and Arab forces that the US has been backing to ensure that ISIS does not make a comeback in northern Syria, and Iran does not consolidate control in areas previously held by ISIS.
On Sunday, the White House reiterated its desire pull US forces out of Syria as quickly as possible, and called on Arab countries to take greater responsibility in securing the region.
“The US mission has not changed – the president has been clear that he wants US forces to come home as quickly as possible,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, quoted by Reuters, said, responding to French President Emmanuel Macron’s claim that he had convinced Trump to keep US troops in Syria “for the long term.”
“We are determined to completely crush ISIS and create the conditions that will prevent its return. In addition we expect our regional allies and partners to take greater responsibility both militarily and financially for securing the region,” she added.
Earlier on Sunday, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley told Fox News that the US would remain in Syria until it had achieved its goals, which she said included defeat of the ISIS terror group, ensuring that chemical weapons do not threaten US interests, and monitoring Iranian actions in the region.
The US wants to “see American troops come home,” Haley stressed, “but we are not going to leave until we know we have accomplished those things.”
The most original and delightful comment on this site since I’ve been with it. It’ll go into my Special File.
I certainly DID-and DO- Enjoy….!!
@ Hugo Schmidt-Fischer:
Very top class, I haven’t laughed so much for a long time. Really innovative and humourous. By the way, could you include a printer in that prize, I don’t have one.
The “G” stands for “Gerald” But the “Edward does not stand for “Edgar”.
As for your reference to Chaidar excellence, I modestly accept. I was encouraged, at first and for a long time, by the deeply impressed devotion of my revered teacher, who applied himself body and soul into inculcating me with his wisdom. Mr. Shreider, known to all of us as “Buck” Shreider, left a life-long lasting impression on me. I still tingle at the thought.
******the nickname “Buck” was because he carried his cane hooked over his shoulder and could whip it out as fast (or faster) than our then favourite screen hero “Buck” Jones with his blazing sixguns.*****
As well, and more seriously in after years, I was taught by Professor Menachem Mansoor, who later became a fixture at the University of Wisconsin, Head of the Semitics Dept, an author of many profound and definitive books including several on the Dead Sea Scrolls and their various writers. He urged me towards Biblical Hebrew study. You may even have read some of his books. He became world famous in his field…. But with my childish lack of common-sense, I …….
I could tell you a story about him which happened about 5 years after our last meeting…..when I met him again under unusual circumstances.
@ Michael S:
I don’t recall seeing anything about a nuclear bomb in the Torah, nor to be more precise the Neveim. Assuming it was there and I missed it…what prescience, what miraculous forethought, what wonderful prophecy…… Nostradamus was only a baby charlatan compared to someone who never heard of physics, prophesying nuclear weaponry 2700 years before anyone thought of it.
@ Bear Klein:
They wouldn’t have any opportunity of even being “bogged down”…. that implies a sort of stationary permanency. They’d be too busy trying to “advance” to the rear as fast as they could run. Of course the best way of being “bogged down” is that they can be killed and buried on the spot.
Arab troops -soldiers- as an expression is an oxymoron. I recall that Meinertzhagen, in his Diaries, and who had extreme intimacy and knowledge of Arabs in all phases, said that they were the worst soldiers he’d ever seen, but the best thieves, bandits and looters. (Paraphrased).
The decision was not easy, it was indeed very difficult. But on this august day of Israel’s national celebration of its Independence Day, we are bound by duty to adjudicate the international global Bible contest. And the winner is DRUMBEAT…
We decided this year the first prize will be shared by two contestants, who answered each equally with distinction. Therefore
To Edward Goldenberg Robinson, who through decades, preserved the cherished memories of his education in the Chaidar, whence he was delivered to in the frozen winters of a snowed in Canada, reminiscent of scenes in the Pale of Russia. Thanks to his education, and the tenacity of maintaining its wise lessons, Edgar G. is not to be fooled by hollow promises of foreign powers. He correctly spotted the crooked flail staff of Egypt.
To Michael Scott Fitzgerald, for his erudite and learned identification of the words of the Holy Bible. Well done. Though let us firmly believe that he has erred and Gog and Magog already exhausted themselves in World War II and World War II. And instead, let us point to Yalkut Shimoni 499, whence Persia confronts the entire world, and all of Arabia unites against them. And Israel shall not despair, shall not rely on US/Saudi/Turko/UN/Jordan/Land4Piece but put its trust in God.
As this is an online platform, your prize is also awarded online.
To Edward G. a copy of the Palestine map, which you may download and print yourself:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/map-of-jewish-national-home-determined-by-san-remo-conference-1920
To Michael S.
A copy of “Narrative of a Mission of Inquiry to the Jews from the Church of Scotland in 1839” which he may download
https://books.google.ch/books?id=yiTusB8cXkwC&pg=PA63&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false
with delightful excerpts such as “…we could not descry a single fruit tree on the top of Carmel….the extensive summit, which once was like a garden, was covered as far as our eye reached with wild mountain shrubs and briery plants, all of stunted growth, except where the rock lay bar and without verdure under the scorching sun. The same God who said, “Zion shall be ploughed like a field,” and “I will pour the stones of Samaria down in the valley,” said also “The top of Carmel shall wither”; and that word we saw before our eyes fulfilled to the letter”
Enjoy
@ Hugo Schmidt-Fischer:
Hello, Hugo
Isa.30
[1] Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
[2] That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
[3] Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
[4] For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
[5] They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
Isaiah said this. Isaiah prophesied during the days that Assyria (present-day northern Iraq) was on the rise and Egypt was in decline. Ultimately, Babylon (present-day southern Iraq) rose up in rebellion against Assyria, and ultimately became the world’s greatest power, controlling what were then the comparatively rich countries that now are Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt Bahrain, Kuwait and parts of Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey:
https://i1.wp.com/www.keyway.ca/gif/babylon.gif
Israel trusted in Egypt, Assyria AND Babylon, in turn; but none of them could or would help them from losing their temple and their land, and having their people driven into exile. The bottom line, was that Israel was trusting in the powers of this world rather than in God; so the modern equivalents would be the US, Russia and China. None of them will save Israel from destruction; and in fact, Zech. 14 says that all of them will ultimately attack Israel and try to destroy it. That will end in a nuclear war, and the beginning of the Messianic Age.
Have I won the contest?
@ Edgar G.:
One thing I remember about the Egyptian soldiers was that after the war, there was a glut of almost brand new army boots for sale in Israel……..Apart from the hundreds of brand new Russian tanks the tankers jumped out of and left, some with the engines still running, and tape still not fully pulled off the interior glass dials.
@ Hugo Schmidt-Fischer:
This is from Yeshiyau, and I seem to recall that it is “(supporting) staff (made of) of a bruised or crushed reed” instead of “.a broken reed of a staff”. Actually a very dramatic saying which I’ve always remembered. And indeed that talk about “a broken reed” is used in all sorts of situations in many novels I’ve read. It seems to have entered the everyday language and being constantly used.
I was a whiz kid in Chaidar and our teacher picked this very verse as an example of one of the Tehillim which says “Put not your trust in princes (or kings)..”
@ Bear Klein:
The Jordanians WERE the best of the Arab fighters….but that was 70 years ago, when they were trained and led by British officers for many years and hardly inferior to British soldiers. . That’s all gone now, and today we have their great-grandchildren, far removed from any martial actions. Who have they fought,…? Nobody, They should be no better than the rest just maybe smarter uniforms…. You are right I believe, about the Egyptians, who can’t even hold the Sinai against far fewer forces, and cannot do anything against guerrilla fighters.
@ Edgar G.:
If they were to deploy without USA special forces and air power at best they would get bogged down. The Jordanians have been the best of the Arab fighters. Egypt I do not think will show up and they are lousy soldiers who not do well. Gulf ground troops as you said are not experienced.
@ Bear Klein:
They MAY go to Syria, but from what experience I have seen and read of Arab soldiers over the past 100 years, and in the reminiscences of battlefield soldiers who opposed them, I would say that they won’t stand, they’ll run. The proposed troops are Saudi. They have no experience, except those who’ve been in Yemen, and THEY won’t want to go back on a battlefield again in a hurry. Arabs are generally poor quality troops, Turks are good quality, particularly behind fortifications.
They will be opposed by both Arabs, Iranians and foreigners, all of whom have had years of continuous battle, are seasoned, and will have good equipment and commanders.
So assuming the above, who do YOU think will prevail in a war situation…. They will absolutely need American back-up, or at least Europeans. Trump is dreaming.
But Trump’s expectations may not occur exactly the way he visualises, as he has good military advisors who will surely dissuade him, or at least insist on good back-up.
Now if they needed good talkers, fantasists or boasters, then there would be nobody better than Arabs.
@ Ted Belman:
I do not believe I am being negative but realistic. Clearly you have a different view. Hopefully you are correct.
Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,”
says the Lord.
“You make plans that are contrary to mine.
You make alliances not directed by my Spirit,
thus piling up your sins.
For without consulting me,
you have gone down to Egypt for help.
You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection.
You have tried to hide in his shade.
3 But by trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated,
and by depending on him, you will be disgraced.
For though his power extends to Zoan
and his officials have arrived in Hanes,
all who trust in him will be ashamed.
He will not help you.
Instead, he will disgrace you.”
Intorducing the international bible quiz, Where and when where these statements written? Is it still applicable today? What would be the pros and cons? Discuss within the space of 3 tweets. The winner of the best reply will receive a facsimile copy of a 19th century map of Palestine, and a transcript of the Report of a visit by pilgrims of the Church of Scotland to the Holy Land, describing the sheer vast emptiness of the countryside, outside of a few small towns populated by pious Jews
@ Bear Klein:
Don’t be so negative. They will gladly go and pay for it because it is all part of pushing back on Iran. Jordan will be part of that once Mudar taks over.
No belief or confidence that Arab troops will go to Syria. Also if they were to go for how long and what degree of military effectiveness.