Palestine v Israel.

[pErvinalia]

So far they've been limiting their actions to stopping boats, not sinking them. But if it comes to war then there's a threat of missiles. Not sure how well a naval ship can stop missiles. There's probably always a chance they will evade counter defences.

[JimC]

True, but I still think that a convoy, with a concentration of naval protection would be a solution...

[JimC]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-04/ ... /103283286

Iranian officials say two explosions have killed nearly 100 people and wounded hundreds of others at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate military commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone strike in 2020.
A second explosion, about 15 minutes after the first, caused the most casualties
No group has claimed responsibility, and authorities have not assigned blame
The death toll was revised down after initial reports said more than 100 were killed
No-one has claimed responsibility for the blasts in the south-eastern city of Kerman, but local officials blamed unspecified "terrorists".

Could have been Israel, but Sunni moslems/ISIS are equally likely...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-05/ ... /103286670

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings targeting a commemoration for an Iranian general slain in a 2020 US drone strike, the worst militant attack to strike Iran in decades as the wider Middle East remains on edge.

The militant group made the claim on social media.

Wednesday's attack in Kerman killed at least 84 people and injured another 284.

It targeted a ceremony honouring Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Soleimani, held as an icon by supporters of the country's theocracy and viewed by the US military as a deadly foe who aided militants who killed American troops in Iraq.

The Islamic State group claimed the two attackers' names were Omar al-Mowahed and Seif-Allah al-Mujahed.

The claim said the men carried out the attacks with explosive vests.

However, the alleged statement did not identify which arm of the Islamic State group carried out the attack.

High-casualty suicide bombings long have been a tactic for the Islamic State group militants.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the claim.

A report by the state-run IRNA news agency, later aired by state television, quoted an unnamed "informed source" for the information on the suicide bombing.

The outlets quoted the official as saying that surveillance footage from the route to the commemoration at Kerman's Matryrs Cemetery clearly showed a male suicide bomber detonating explosives.

The Islamic world sure likes its vicious infighting...

Israel and the US will be having a quiet chuckle...

[Tero]

I can't say I've changed my views on Israel much after this. Aside from all the moral issues, there is little to be gained by sending money there. Except that we end up sending money to rebuild and feed what us left of Gaza.

[pErvinalia]

Crimes by Israel

This document is a thorough, albeit non-exhaustive, compilation of Israel's violations of international law during the ongoing 2023 Israel-Hamas war, citing reputable journalistic sources and international organizations for evidence of these crimes. While the focus is mainly on Gaza, it includes crimes committed by Israel in the West Bank and Lebanon (295 and 23 civilians killed, respectively). The document's primary purpose is to serve as a ledger of Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people, and of the horrific and unacceptable suffering endured by the Palestinians

[Svartalf]

they started in 1948, and have never stopped since.

[JimC]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-16/ ... /103321734

A well-written analysis of world trouble spots by Mick Ryan, a retired Australian General who seems to have his finger on the pulse of military/political issues. It's not just about Israel/Hamas, but Russia/Ukraine and China/Taiwan. Well worth a read...

Just one brief excerpt:

Having shifted to a strategy of waiting out the West some time ago, Putin believes there is an inevitable and continuing weakening of resolve in Western support for Ukraine.

I fear he might be right...

[Strontium Dog]

The issue is so-called liberals and democrats refusing to support liberalism and democracy around the world. People who aren't willing to defend the things they claim to believe in are doomed to see them disappear.

[aufbahrung]

Everything seems to have settled down. Something is gonna happen. The times are thin ice not solid ground.

[JimC]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-17/ ... /103335220

The United States has launched new attacks against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, destroying four anti-ship ballistic missiles.

According to a US Central Command statement, the missiles were being prepared by the Iran-backed group to be launched and presented an imminent threat to merchant and US Navy ships in the region.

The overnight strike came as the Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack against the Malta-flagged bulk carrier Zografia in the Red Sea.

The ship was hit, but no-one was injured.

That's the second time one of these large merchant ships has been hit by a missile; in both cases, no injuries, and little damage, certainly not enough to stop the ship. Interesting...

[Brian Peacock]

'Iran-backed Houthis' is an interesting one - in as much as we never hear 'US-backed Israelis'.

[JimC]

'Iran-backed Houthis' is an interesting one - in as much as we never hear 'US-backed Israelis'.

Fair point, but I think that, given their attacks on merchant shipping, a targeted military response is appropriate.

[pErvinalia]

Things we will protect: Shipping

Things we won't protect: Palestinian civilians.

[aufbahrung]

Things we will protect: Shipping

Things we won't protect: Palestinian civilians.

Crimes against money carry more punitive sentences than those against people. Was like that in Ancient Rome and it ain't gonna change next week.

[JimC]

Things we will protect: Shipping

Things we won't protect: Palestinian civilians.

One can be critical of the excesses of Israel in Gaza, and argue for an immediate ceasefire there, while still accepting the need to attack the military infrastructure that the Houthis are using to attack international shipping, most of which has no connection to Israel.