I didn't even know these guys were in the fight?

Question

I just read that the US and France have agreed on how to end the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. I know the news today leaves a lot out of their reporting--but-- Isn't the fight between Israel and Hezbollah. What does it matter if the US and France agree on a deal? They aren't even in the fight are they? If Israel and Hezbollah don't agree with the deal will anything change?

Answer 1

You raise a good point -- last week's deal fell apart because Secretary Rice didn't even bother to consult with the Lebanese before announcing the particulars. The US obviously has an extremely close relationship with Israel, and is presumably negotiating on Israel's behalf; the French have a close relationship with Lebanon, and more importantly, they are not bogged down in Iraq. As such, they are have the only military that would be both: a)capable of maintaining a massive international peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, and b) acceptable to both Israel and Lebanon.

The clear flaw is that neither Hezbollah or its patrons Syria and Iran seem to have been involved up to this point. If that is the case, the obvious conclusion would be that both nations are counting on this plan being implemented not with Hezbollah's consent, but essentially over Hezbollah's dead body -- or over the dead bodies of several thousand Lebanese civilians, whichever comes first.

Answer 2

Possibly. The U.S. is the main sponsor of Israel and is a major influence. France was the colonial power in Lebanon after the First World War and the fall of the Ottoman empire. Both still hold sway in the region. While Syria are co-sponsors (with Iran) of Hezbollah France, again, were the colonial power in Syria. An unstable Middle East benefits none of them and Syria has much to lose if Hezbollah becomes too strong in the region. As was the case when the PLO became too strong in Jordan and were expelled.

Answer 3

I can't stand idiots who no nothing about the what role the U.S.has. I'll try to say this slowwwww and in Plain English. 1st it is a good question. Ok The world wants us involved becasue we have a lot of power not just via the military but we are a financial powerhouse. We have several products other countries must have such as food to name one.

What that means is that the US can create bargins and deals which will make people listen. If the other country does something out of line the we have military power to help those countries in need of help. So people that's why the world comes to the US. Do you think for 1 second they'll want the Nicaragua Government to bail them out? C'mon! That's why we are the police. Becasue the world wants it that way. They might not like what we do or how we do it (kind of how some people feel about local police dept.), but when the Sh*t hits the fan they all come crying back to the US to help them out.

Answer 4

USA police the world remember. Freance it's the US's sidekick on this 1. kk so in the school playground there's always 1 huge kids tht threatens all the others thts the US. "gimme you chocolate or I'll smash your face in" Britain or France is the puny kid acomplice tht leans round the side and snears "yeah u tell'em"

Answer 5

Ever read one of the hundreds of books publicly available in any well stocked public library on organized crime? Same thing here except in this case their mothers let them.

Answer 6

How often do you emerge from your cave.
This has been all over the news for 3 weeks now.

Answer 7

france is suposed to be our allie. Which to bush means I own you. Say and do as I tell you too. Grrrr BUCK FUSH!!!!!!

Answer 8

You are correct.