Peres Says Read Anne Frank

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:
Israeli President Shimon Peres is in the Netherlands.

His first stop after arriving was the Anne Frank House. It is home in which a young girl named Anne described life in a secret room as she and her family hid from the Nazis before the entire family was deported to the death camps. It is the home made famous by the book called "Diary of a Young Girl."

Peres made a very insightful comment while at the House.

Peres said that he doubted that the leadership of Iran or Syria had read the diary.

The implication of this comment is that reading the diary written by young Anne Frank would immediately lend a sense of deep connection to the dangers of mass murder.

Anne Frank is a symbol of the grandeur of the human spirit as it confronts the horrors of mass murder. In her case, mass murder came in the guise of the Nazis.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Egypt & Gaza

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:
Israel and Gaza share a border, that is not news. The international media have, however, have turned border issues and restrictions into a centerpiece of their coverage for years.

Just a stone's throw from the Israel/Gaza border is the Egypt /Gaza border. Egypt controls that border and is much more protective of it than Israel is of theirs. The border between Egypt and Gaza has been closed and opened and then re-closed and re-opened again for months.

Because terrorists use the border as a way of entering Egypt from Gaza, the Egyptians have decided to restrict border crossings. Last year 65,000 people crossed into Egypt from Gaza during the months July, August and September. This year, during the same time period, only 14,000 crossed from Gaza into Egypt.

5,500 people are now stuck waiting on the border. They include university students returning home, people in need of medical care and business people. They just wait.

As for trade, no goods can cross from Egypt to Gaza.

I know why there is almost no coverage of this blockade. Covering this blockade would not fit the media model. It is not as interesting when Arabs oppress Arabs as it is when Israelis oppress Arabs. When Israel oppresses Arabs, that becomes newsworthy.

Micah@MicahHaleprn.com 

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Rounhani Denies Holocaust Too

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

In an interview on NBC Hassan Rouhani, the new Iranian president, clearly demonstrated how he differed from his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Rouhani showed his true colors. He is a Holocaust denier. He is more subtle and more soft spoken about it than Ahmadinejad was, hence, he is much more effective. Rather than deny the entire Holocaust, Rouhani denies the details and the numbers

"The massacre by the Nazis was condemnable. We never want to sit by side with the Nazis," he said. "They committed a crime against Jews - which is a crime against Christians, against Muslims, against all of humanity."

"The Nazis committed a crime in World War II," he said. "As to the scale of the massacres, and the numbers that my predecessor mentions, let's leave that to the historians."

So the massacres happened - not the Holocaust.
And then he acknowledged that many were killed --- but he is leaving it to historians to debate the question of just how many.

Micah@Halpern.com 

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Terror Threat in India

By Micah Halpern I've Been Thinking:

India has received intelligence reports that the Mujahadin terrorist network is planning to attack and kidnap Jews.

And so, there is a serious alert in place around Jewish sites, synagogues and other places where Jews and Israelis frequent.

In 2008, 173 people were killed in simultaneous terrorist attacks in India that targeted Western sites and as well as a Jewish center/synagogue.

Terrorists do not distinguish between Jews and Zionists. That distinction is a myth perpetrated by Arafat to lend legitimacy to his rabid hatred of Israel.

Today, those including Jews who use this argument, are simple anti-Semites.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Terrorists Didn't Kill Muslims

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The terrorist group that murdered 169 people in Kenya said that they carefully tested people to make certain that Muslims were not killed and that the foreigners who were killed were legitimate targets.

The terrorists separated Muslims from non-Muslims. They asked their hostages to name the mother of Mohammed. If they could not provide the correct answer, they would be shot.

The correct answer is Amenah bint Wahb.

According to an AP report: "In an email exchange Wednesday with the Associated Press, al-Shabab said the jihadis 'carried out a meticulous vetting process' so the Muslims would not be harmed."

It is shocking ... But it is important to understand that this kind of division and this kind of question determines life and death.

The Kenya terrorists were committed to wiping out the enemies of Islam. They did not want to attack fellow Muslims.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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What Is Happening in Egypt

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The world's attention had been focused on Syria and Iran. Now that the United Nation General Assembly is in full throttle the focused has shifted to the leaders of the United States and Iran, Presidents Obama and Rouhani.

But it's a big world out there and whether we pay attention or not, situations are evolving and at times, devolving. Take Egypt, for example.

Egypt has been playing hardball with the Muslim Brotherhood. Some Western news agencies covered the Egyptian decision to confiscate Brotherhood bank accounts, most did not. The Egyptian court ruled that the Muslim Brotherhood is no longer legal.

And the Egyptian army has been sweeping through the country, especially the Sinai, confronting the al Qaeda cells.

Meanwhile, the Brotherhood and al Qaeda have been creating havoc and they have been killing Egyptians especially - Christians and police.

Since July 3 when the revolt that unseated then-President Morsi began, over 100 Egyptian police have been killed. Last week a terror attack against a police bus killed 15 policemen.

Under the semi-cloak of silence, or perhaps preoccupation, current Egyptian leadership is dealing with the Muslim Brotherhood. They have successfully dismantled the entire Muslim Brotherhood leadership by arresting them and now they have taken all their money. All that remains is mopping up in rural areas where the Brotherhood is still strong.

Within the next week we will see the end of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. They will not be gone, they will be underground, they will be forced into hiding.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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US Iran Accidental Meet

By Micah Halpern

I've Been thinking:

It looks like President Obama will probably meet new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during the United Nations General Assembly.

The meeting will be hard to choreograph, it must look as if it is an accidental encounter. US President
Obama is scheduled to speak at 4 pm while Iranian President Rouhani is scheduled for 11 pm.

The Americans have not discounted the possibility of a handshake. Now they will spend hours coordinating where and how an accidental / coordinated meeting can appear spontaneous.

Such is the greatness of the UN general assembly

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Back to Normal - Israeli Security

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Benny Ganz, Israel's chief of staff, called a meeting with Nitzan Alon, his general in charge of central command.

Ganz needed a threat assessment.

Earlier in the day in the city of Hebron a Palestinian sniper hit and killed an Israeli soldier named Gal Kobi.
The chief of staff needed to understand if there was a flaw in security and if there is a flaw, he needs he needs to correct it. Israeli soldiers should not be picked off by snipers while on patrol.

The assassination of Kobi Gal is another shocking reminder of the gritty, day to day, risks taken by members of the IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces. It is a reminder of the fragility of what we so cavalierly call "Israeli security."

For weeks we have been focusing on global risks. Iran, Syria, the ramifications of a strike by the United States. Concern over global risks has overshadowed the daily risks and the daily threats that confront Israel.

This sniper attack was a rude re-awakening - tragic, unfortunate, but a necessary re-awakening.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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IAEA Attempt to Attack Israel

By Micah Halpern

Sunday September 22, 2013
I've Been Thinking:
The UN atomic energy watch dog, the IAEA, just held its annual meeting. This year the major resolution that they tried to put through was to force Israel to dismantle their nuclear weapons -- and it failed.
On Friday the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rejected a resolution calling on Israel to join the global nuclear arms treaty.
The proposal had the support of Iran and the Arab League. But in the end, with 51 votes against the proposal, 43 votes for the proposal and 32 abstentions, the proposal failed. This was not their first attempt and it will not be their last.
Those in favor of the proposal called Israel and her status a double standard that prevented a nuclear free region.
Israel has never official declared that they have nuclear weapons.
They have a nuclear power plant in Dimona and several experimental reactors. Those in the know suggest that Israel gets around the nuclear weapons issue by keeping everything in component sections, easily assembled if the circumstances should require a nuclear weapon.
The reality is that one cannot compare a democracy with a system of checks and balances with the theocracies and totalitarian governments in the region.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Israel Accuses Iran of Buying Time

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israel has accused Iran of buying time.

The possibility of diplomatic interaction between the United States and Iran has people talking and pundits preaching.

Israel has made their point of view very clear. Iran is using the diplomatic card as a tool to buy more time to further advance their nuclear program.

Israel is warning the West. Israel is saying that Iran specializes in this form of manipulation. That for years now, whenever there was a breakthrough and Iran showed flexibility it was a farce, it was a ruse, it was a charade.

Israel's POV is that there has never been any real change in Iran's direction. They are saying that the Iranians have consistently and doggedly marched toward nuclear technological development. And that is not about to change now.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Iran Changing Tune

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:
After much fanfare and discussion in the Hebrew, Iranian, Arabic and
European press it seems that Iran has begun to backpeddle.

Originally, Ali Akbar Salehi, the Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy organization, said that Iran would close
Fordo, their uranium enrichment site, and stop uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.

Now Iran is saying that they will not close Fordo.

Is it a just a game? Is Iran deliberately saying two contradictory things? Or, perhaps, is there disagreement inside Iranian leadership? Whatever the situation the Iranians misleading us.

The press has been filled with coverage of the potential for new
diplomatic interaction between the US and Iran. Events at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly will be a very helpful indicator in terms of what Iran really is up to.

We just need to watch and see what, if anything, develops.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Egypt Reopens Gaza Crossing

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Late on Wednesday Egypt opened the border with Gaza.

The border had been closed for over a week due after suicide bombers attacked Egyptian soldiers. The terrorists came from Gaza.

Thousands of Gazans were clamoring to get across for reasons varying from medical treatment in Egypt to business.

This is a hugely important lesson. After a terror attack that originated in Gaza and was perpetrated against Egypt --- Egypt shut Gaza off. They did what they needed to do.

No discussion.
No condemnation.
And no coverage in the Western press.
None.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Chinese Hackers?

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:
Almost all security today also involves cyber security. Every bank, organization, company - even churches and synagogues, must have good cyber security systems. Otherwise, it is an open market for hackers.

Hackers want to steal. Mostly, they want information. They want information more than they want money. Information is power and if one competitor secretly accesses another competitor's industrial secret, they have accessed a gold mine.

Until now, the assumption had been that the Chinese government was behind some of the biggest industrial hacks. But recently, Symantec - also known as Norton anti-virus - one of the biggest computer security companies published a 28 page report stating that a private hit team out of China was the real culprit behind these corporate hacks.

Symantec called the team Hidden Lynx. The assertion is that 50 to 100 very gifted, variable, multi skilled hackers are employed to attack sites on behalf of their client. They will and can undertake several projects simultaneously.

Not everyone agrees with Symantec. Some have said that the hacking group is government /military in nature. Almost everyone is in agreement that the hacking is out of China because of the codes and the Trojans that are used. However, because of the nature of the targets and the multiple, simultaneous projects which are almost always about gaining information that could help in a buyout takeover or stock maneuver Symantec stands firm in asserting that Hidden Lynx is a gun for hire.

The real lesson in all this --- protect your computer.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Iran Looking For A Way Out

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Der Spiegel has reported that Iran might be willing to shut down their nuclear enrichment plant in exchange for a lifting of sanctions against them.

The idea was floated by the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi. He indicated that Iran's new president will make the proposal at the end of September when he is in NYC for the UN General Assembly. Salehi referred to a "compromise" and said that among the leadership in Iran there has always a movement for compromise.

Hassan Rouhani, when he was elected this summer as the new president of Iran, promised to change the way Iran was perceived in the world. And he promised to break the sanctions.

This may be one of his initial steps in that direction.

Rouhani also pledged to change the tone and the course of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Everyone should note that while Salehi is now head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization he was foreign minister under Ahmadinejad. He is the only carry over from the previous administration and he holds a PhD in nuclear engineering from MIT.

Salehi understands the United States very well having spent six years in Cambridge, MA.

Ironically, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in and out of MIT during the exact same six year period earning a bachelor's degree in architecture and a master's degree in management.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Schools Open in Syria

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

It was back to school in Syria yesterday. The day came as a welcome moment in a land torn by civil war.

The start of school will bring structure and stability to many children who have spent so long hiding from the violence.

Ironically, the school year almost did not begin because of the threat of potential attacks. This time, however, it was the US threat to launch a missile strike that almost derailed the school year. But not in the way you would anticipate.

In order to protect soldiers who were stationed in high risk target areas, the Syrians moved them into schools for protection. And now since the threat of the missile strike has subsided the soldiers are no longer in need of schools for alternative quarters and they have been made available for the opening of school.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Iran is Learning from the Situation

By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:

Iran's comments on and interpretation of the deal that saves Syria from a missile strike are very illustrative of the way the Iranians really think.

Ali Larijani, Iranian speaker of the parliament and former nuclear arms point man, called the deal a sign of US "rationality." Larijani's comments were broadcast throughout Iran on Sunday on all news networks and media outlets.

In addition, the new President of Iran, Rouhani, will meet with British Foreign Minister Hague in NYC at the United Nations General Assembly.

There are actually rumors that Rouhani might also meet Obama. There have been and continue to be overtures to set up a private summit between Iranian and US leaders.

That is one of the great parts of the GA. With so many world leaders "milling around," it looks and seems matter of fact to "accidently" meet and greet.

In the world of social diplomacy, at least, it looks as if Iran is not averse to learning lessons from the Russia and the United States.



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Al Qaeda & 9-11

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

In honor of 9-11 the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman Zawahiri, released a video on the internet. Zawahiri called on all of al Qaeda to carry out a large attack against the United States "even if it takes year to organize it."

This should come as no surprise. Zawahiri needs to make certain that al Qaeda stays relevant and to do so he must keep their 9-11 attacks prominent and center most in the minds of potential recruits.

To that end Zawahiri periodically reinforces the success of the 9-11 attack and then claims great victories over the US in Iraq and Afghanistan. He calls on his followers for fight the US and instructs them to do whatever it takes to strike at the enemy.

Zawahiri is telling his followers that they should plan attacks and perpetrate them in the United States even if it takes a year to plan them. And of course, Zawahiri praises the Boston Marathon attack.

"The Boston incident confirms to the Americans ... that they are not facing individuals, organizations or groups, but they are facing an uprising Ummah ( the entire Muslim community of the World), that rose in jihad to defend its soul, dignity and capabilities."

"We should bleed America economically by provoking it to continue in its massive expenditure on its security, for the weak point of America is its economy, which has already begun to stagger due to the military and security expenditure."

Al Qaeda is stepping up their game. The leadership is intensifying their operations so that al Qaeda appears to be the central force challenging Western and external influences within the Muslim world.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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What Syrians In Israel Think

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Since the conflict in Syria began, 86 Syrians have been brought to and treated in Israeli hospitals. There are 14 Syrians in Israeli hospitals right now.

Hassan Shaalan, a journalist for YNET in Israel, went to speak to some of the patients recuperating in Western Galilee Hospital which is located in the city Nahariyah in the North of Israel.
All of them, without exception, explained that they wanted a US strike against Assad ASAP.

A 20-year-old mother of a year-and-a-half old baby said that "I'd rather stay in Israel until the war is over. The people of the Syrian army are not human. They treat us like animals. I want Obama to attack certain locations in Syria without waiting for sources who can't understand our circumstances for approval. If there's no attack, I hope someone more courageous replaces him."

Another patient said: "Here in Israel I feel completely safe, but I'm worried about my family because I don't know where they are or how they are doing."

"In Syria, we live in danger and are prepared for death at any moment. I was surprised to hear that Obama went back on his decision to attack in Syria. I'm all for an attack so that he can protect us from the criminals who are murdering citizens for no reason. Canceling the attack leaves us abandoned. It proves the US doesn't care about us."

These Syrians represent a very small and very slanted sample. But their point of view is extremely telling.

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Arrogance - Israel's Worst Enemy

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Yesterday Israel's Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon identified a serious worry in the Israeli defense system.

I quote: "We must remember that our worst enemy is arrogance, haughtiness ..."

"In the fog that covers the Middle East we must understand that we need to trust only ourselves and build an army that will deter any enemy."

This is a very important lesson in reality.

As good as Israel is at defense, Israelis must remember that they still need to strive for perfection. They may not behave arrogantly just because they have achieved certain levels of proficiency.

And in the end the only people who will defend Israel - is Israel.

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What the Russian Plan Means

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The proposal offered by Russia to solve the Syrian weapons of mass destruction issue is an all around win. Everyone, from Putin and Obama to Israel and Iran, come out winners. There is only one loser - one big time loser.

Assad emerges a big winner. The president of Syria dodged a set of tomahawk missiles. There is no real challenge to him or to his policies and he continues fighting the rebels without any threat to his infrastructure.

Obama is the next big winner. John Kerry was the first to float the possibility of this solution in a throwaway line on Sunday during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

It does not matter that Putin then publicly came up with the idea and totally out maneuvered Obama because Obama and the US are initiators of the compromise. Putin and Obama both emerge as major forces capable of resolving international issues and crises.

Israel is very pleased. Pulling back the threat of a US strike against Syria relieves the pressure of a counter strike against Israel by Syria, Hezbollah or Iran. Israel was prepared and ready for an aggressive response but even then there were still significant risks. Now those risks have been eliminated. They just hope that the plan is in place quickly before Assad can hide or give the weapons to Hezbollah.

Iran is happy in that its proxy, Assad, is still totally entrenched in his position and back on the way towards squashing his rebels.

Iran understands that Russia is a formidable foil to the United States and now they have a realistic assessment of US/ Russian interaction in the Middle East. And, best of all, Iran has not been threatened at all.

Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were all potential targets of retaliation. The problem has been solved and they are no longer in the crosshairs.

Assad, Obama, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Qatar aside, the biggest winner of all is Putin, the Russian head of state. The Russians have turned themselves into the kingpins that put world agreements together and that defend their minions.

Russia was on the wane but now, after Putin's stubborn display, the world knows that when push comes to shove, he can cobble out a solution that works best for everyone.

The rebels are the big losers. Rebel fighters lost any and all backing they had from the West and Assad's position has been internationally affirmed. Their loss is tremendous.

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Why Russia Sides w/ Syria

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

It became perfectly clear during the meetings in Russia last week.

Putin won the battle. The Russian leader told Obama, simply and clearly, that Russia was supporting Syria. Putin said that he was not convinced by the evidence presented to him by Obama.

Obama had hoped that the evidence would speak for itself. US Secretary of State John Kerry, in his own way, is also trying to convince his counterpart in Russia to take action against Bashar of Syria, but his arguments, too, have fallen on deaf ears.

Russia is not interested in the truth. Russia is not interested in any red lines. Russia needs to back its ally. Russia needs to show Syria and all the other Russia minions that when there is a conflict with the United States their Russia patrons will defend them and sponsor them no matter what.

And it is no accident that the Russian defense tactic includes making the United States look foolish in the international community.

The main point for Russia is not gassing nor is it the death of innocents. Russia is only about power and about alliances.

Challenging the United States meets Russia's national interests.

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What Israel Thinks About the US

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israel determines alliances based on shared interests. Israel's long term friendships are based on mutual values. The relationships are, for the most part, ongoing. That does not mean, however, that when it comes to trust and reliability, these relationships are not continuously evaluated and re-evaluated.

In terms of the relationship between Israel and the United States the fundamental question that is always asked is: Will the United States be there when the chips - military, political and diplomatic - are down?

Recent inaction, actually, the paralysis of inaction, on the part of the United States vis a vis chemical attacks in Syria has forced Israel into a new understanding of their long term and esteemed friend.

Israel now understands, unequivocally, that the United States is not capable of acting quickly in initiating a military strike. That does not mean that the friendship is tattered. Quite the opposite - it means that Israel has a better sense of the limitations of the United States in the fields of military and political decision making.

Israel must reassess and recalibrate. Israel must decide how best to utilize their friendship with the United States in defending itself against Iran and other regional threats.

This does not make the United States weaker. It means that the reaction time of the United States is slower than Israel and the world expected it would be.

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A Bird Is Arrested - Again

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:
This bird's name was Menes. Last week Menes was captured and arrested in Egypt. Today Memes is dead.

The story has become commonplace. Only this time, it ended horribly.

Last week a stork named Menes was arrested by the Egyptians. The stork was arrested as a spy. The bird was placed in its own cell in a police station and an investigation ensued. There was a GPS tracking system on its back and a tag on its leg. They charge was espionage.

In the end it was confirmed that the bird was simply a bird. It was confirmed that the devices were not spy equipment but ornithological tools that help track migrating birds from Africa to Europe and back.

Menes was finally released into a nature preserve. It flew to an island in the Nile. But a day or so later the stork was hunted down, killed and eaten - by human Egyptian predators, not animal predators.

These stories repeat themselves and at a certain point they are no longer funny. They are simply sad. And not just mean for Menes and the other birds.

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Jordan On Alert

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The Jordanian Air Force is on high alert.

Jordan wants to make certain that they can protect the country from a Syrian strike. They know that they are considered a very weak link and because of their friendship with the United States, Assad may strike at them.

In order to mollify the potential threat Jordan has announced that they will not permit any strike by a foreign force from Jordan.

There is a US air force base located there, but as of now, it is not in the game. Jordan hopes that this small gesture will drop them in the target priorities of Syria.

By limiting an attack from their borders Jordan is reaffirming the all too well known mantra that Arabs do not attack Arabs.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Egypt Learns Lesson

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Egypt is learning a very difficult lesson.

The Egyptians have discovered that it is much easier to control and even destroy a political party than it is a terror group.

Within the cities where they are firmly established, they Muslim Brotherhood has been shackled.

But Egypt is having enormous difficulty securing the desert where al Qaeda is roaming. Al Qaeda roams the desert popping up here and then popping up there. They appear, re-appear. They cannot be brought under control.

The Brotherhood went public. The desert terrorists remain nameless.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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US Strike & International Law

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

A new challenge is emerging regarding a military strike against Syria. Not the challenge that pundits, lawmakers, jurists and analysts have been discussing. This is not about leadership or decision making.

Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, has said clearly that a strike against Syria without UN Security Council agreement would be a violation of international law. And he is absolutely correct.

The challenge is whether the United States will be able to withstand the ire of the international community and take a stand against the world, for the benefit of the world.

Only a few members of the world community will side with America.

MicahHalpern.com 

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THe US Message

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

US Secretary of State John Kerry testified before a Senate hearing yesterday.

Kerry explained that people in the (Mid East) region are watching what the US does concerning Syria. He said that America's friends such as Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Israel are watching the US to see if and whether we will act and if our word is our word.

And yesterday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the same thing in no uncertain terms when speaking to the same committee. He said the credibility of the US regarding Iran is at stake. He said: "A refusal to act would undermine the credibility of America's other security commitments - including the president's commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon."

More specifically, Israel gets it. Israel understands, now more than ever, that the rhetoric of US action under this presidency is actually a process and it requires an evaluation and then a decision and then maybe a symbolic gesture. Gaining that understanding was an important lesson for Israel.

And Israel now has confirmed for itself that, with regard to Iran, US rhetoric might be good - but US action will be very slow. Israel knows full well now that they are alone in action and that they can expect only back-up from the United States.

When it comes to Iran, Israel will make operational decisions in seconds while the US will involve itself in briefings and discussions that last for weeks. Israel will still need to get the green light for any operation from the US, but it will not be a joint operation.

But - this should not come as any real surprise to anyone. Except, maybe, to President Obama.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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US Marine Site Gets Hacked

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The US Marines recruiting site joins the ranks of The New York Times as yet another website hacked by the Syrian Electronic Army. The SEA is a group of hackers that side with Assad. They hack into sites and replace original content with banners and posts that support Assad and reject the rebels.

The New York Times was hit twice in a single week. Twitter and HuffPost have also been recently attacked. Earlier in the year SEA hacked into the AP Twitter site and posted a news report that the White House had been bombed and that President Obama had been injured.

The weak link is Melbourne IT, the source of the servers. SEA accesses sites through Melbourne and then quickly makes the switch.

In some cases it takes hours to make the correction.
Melbourne IT took responsibility for the NYT - but given the continued barrage of successful hackings it seems clear that Melbourne has not adequately sealed their servers.

The Syrian Electronic Army wrote a note to ABC News saying "When we hacked media we do not destroy the site but only publish on it if possible, or publish an article [that] contains the truth of what is happening in Syria ... So if the USA launch attack on Syria we may use methods of causing harm, both for the U.S. economy or other." Excuse the grammar and syntax, this is a direct quote.

It is annoying, infuriating and frustrating - but the hacking damage could potentially be much worse. SEA is just trying to make a point - they are focusing on content, not destroying or taking over the site.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Palestinians on Syria

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

What do the Palestinians think about the Syrian crisis and about a US strike?

Fatah, the main umbrella group of the PLO, called a meeting in of their affiliates to discuss the matter. The meeting was held in Ramallah. At the meeting Fatah made a formal statement that rejected any military intervention in Syria and stating that they, Fatah, stood for a diplomatic settlement.

Until this meeting Fatah had not taken sides with either Assad or with the rebels.

Hamas is more complicated. Hamas military leadership sided against Assad from the start of the uprising and they have been exiled from Syria. They continue to side with the rebels. But now one component of Hamas political leadership has stated that they, too, want a diplomatic resolution and that they, too, reject any outside military intervention.

The Palestinians are divided when it comes to Syria. There are serious divisions within Hamas as to how to handle Syria and the PLO does not want to take a stand.

The Palestinians are united, however, when it comes to spouting rhetoric that says Israel will gain from the conflict and that Israel is behind attempts to strike Syria.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Israel Frustrated by US Decision

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israel was shocked by the US President Obama's decision to delay a strike against Syria until getting approval from Congress.

The Israelis feel that the time lag leaves them open.

Israel will be on 24/7 high defense status alert until a decision is made - and then again, until the strike. The hesitancy, the foot dragging, the insecurity this decision demonstrates is not what bothers Israelis the most. It is that this decision --- not to make a decision --- is an about face that changes the momentum and diminishes any chance President Obama ever had of linking the strike to a teaching moment for the world.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has given Israelis an interim assurance telling them that, "Israel is peaceful and self-assured. 
Our people know that we are well-prepared for any scenario."
Referencing Obama's disincentive to attack Netanyahu said, "Israeli citizens should also know that our enemies have very good reasons to not test our strength and power."

After a US strike against Syria, Israel becomes the only on-the-ground, local, identifiable, target for Syria,
Iran or Hezbollah to attack. And even if the US only sends 10 or 15 Tomahawk Cruise missiles, Syria will most likely need to respond. They will respond so as to save face both internally and in the greater Arab world.

If Congress chooses to launch an attack against Syria, Syria will most likely launch rockets into Israel.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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