Obama could inherit Gaza crisis
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/12/29/obama.gaza/art.obama.gaza.gi.jpg caption=" Barack Obama reiterated his support for Israel when he visited Sderot in July."]
(CNN) - As the violence rages in Gaza, President Bush is putting the blame squarely on Hamas, while President-elect Barack Obama is keeping a low profile and sticking by his belief that "there is only one president at a time."
But with less than a month until the inauguration, the president-elect could inherit an international crisis - one he will not be able to defer to Bush.
Israeli airstrikes pummeled Gaza for a third day Monday as part of what Israel's defense minister called "an all-out war" with Hamas. Israel says the attacks are a response to escalating rocket attacks against southern Israel.
Israel has tanks on the border and has approved the call-up of 2,000 reservists, but there was no indication of a Israeli ground incursion Monday. However, Israeli politicians say that all options are on the table.
BB – I hope you are not insinuating "left undone" by President Bush. This has been an ongoing problem and anyone who has an understanding of what is going on in the region knows it won't be solved until the second coming.
Could? How about "will". Obama WILL inherit all of the current crises – economic, military, global, Middle Eastern. What is occurring in Gaza is indefensible and must be addressed. However, I'm not sure the U.S. is the one to address the problem. We have little credibility with the Palestinians given our "Israel can do no wrong" attitude toward the conflict. We always side with Israel, even when they are wrong. and that creates serious distrust among the Palestinian people. If we, the U.S., hope to create peace in this region, we must become neutral, see both sides of the issue, and work to fairly resolve the conflict. Continuously taking Israel's side and supplying them with arms does nothing but create more militants in the Arab world who absolutely hate us and pray for our undoing, i.e., Iran.
As did every President since the formation of Israel. This is not a new problem or issue for incoming Presidents.
So much for Rice's effectiveness as Sec. of State in helping to diffuse this time bomb. The legacies of BOTH Bush AND his Sec. of State are miserable.
Spider said, "Will Barack Obama back Israel? She's been an ally since we became a nation. ... Turn your back on Israel, Barack. See what approval ratings that'll get ya."
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Huh? Israel hasn't been an ally since we became a nation! Israel was created out of whole cloth in the late 1940s. Learn some history. Hopefully, the Obama administration's education improvements will help your children if they are too late to help you.
The incoming adminstration will be saddled with this conflict and many more. The key will be ensuring to change the current administration inept policies in the region and around the world. Of course Israel will leverage it's position with the Palastinans prior to the change on 1/20/09.
Unfortunatly the present administraion has given the go ahead for what appears to be a disporportional response to the situation in Gaza
Al, NY NY – What is so refreshing about President Bush is that he doesn't make his decisions based on what certain people like you think. His legacy will certainly be positive, in reality, and it's too bad more people can't quite grasp the truth. He kept your butt safe for these past 7 years.
It never ends,does it? But on the sidelines' the profiteers who probably initiated this war are now making fotunes on "Oil Futures/Options"! This sabor-rattling has done nothing more,than fill the coffers of both sides involved in this skirmish who love,"The Thought of War in the Oil Rich Middle-East ! PS. Since 1948, this BS never stops,it's a perpetual hatred that never will be resolved until they blow each other to "Kingdom Come,...
God will give my next President the wisdom of how to deal with situation in Gaza.
God will give my next President the wisdom of how to deal with the situation in Gaza.
Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA December 29th, 2008 12:13 pm ET
Israel's vow to fight the rogue Palestinians "to the bitter end" has the ring of a "final solution", does it not?
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Israeli rockets are 'Made in the USA'.
Could???
Thank God for someone with the skill, knowledge and ability of Hillary Clinton. We are in good hands once she is confirmed as Sec. of State.
Um...you think?
Come January 20th, with Hillary and Rahm at his side, Obama won't only hit the ground running as far as this crisis goes, he'll hit the ground flying ( if I can use a metaphor the late Douglas Adams would be proud of)
Obama is inheriting a crumbling United States, and will do all he can to get things under control. The problem is the republicans already planning to try and stop everything he plans to do.
Every single republican troublemaker and naysayer needs to be called out.
He is going to inherit more than just GAza from Mr. Bush! Alot of the Stuff that comes out the bull, thats what he is going to inherit.
the Gaza crisis, the Iran crisis, the Iraq crisis, the Afganistan crisis, the economic crisis, the health care crisis, the education crisis, the housing crisis...
What do you expect after 8 years of utter incompetence!
I find it interesting that news of daily rocket and mortar attacks go unpublished until Israel finally does something to defend itself. Then and only then does it become news and then the Palestinians go on a rampage and say that this is unjust? What about the constant fear of rocket and mortar attacks...is this not unjust? Where are these same protestors when the shoe is on the other foot?
You're right, Mike H.... Israel should stop bullying all those misunderstood terrorists and let them play with their rockets and bombs. Who cares if Israelis have to live in constant fear of attack? Israel should be more accomodating to the "Hamas lifestyle".
@ BW – that thing about the WH being sanitized is kinda funny I must admit.
I'm sick of Israel and her drama.
When Israel went into Gaza to destroy the "tunnel" and ended up kiling 20+ people, why is that not treated as a break in the cease fire? only after that did the rockets start firing on Israel. I think Israel broke the cease fire
Prepare for 4 more years of blaming Bush as Obama runs for re-election.
What an incompetent boob we have elected to lead this country starting next month.
Well, I'm sure he'll just sit down with them and they'll all just "talk it out." And everything will just be all better, and they'll all just come away feeling happy and content and refreshed. Because I'm certain that no one ever thought of simply talking about their differences.
And then Barry will get on his magic unicorn and fly away to Utopia for tea and crumpets with the Dali Lama.