Once again, Israel is stretching itself thin - both militarily, by fighting two fronts (the Gaza Strip and the northern border with Lebanon) and territorily, by considering the reoccupuation of land that the country had once held for years.  

I was impressed with the sudden shift in the policies of the late Ariel Sharon, implemented nearly a year ago.  By deciding to withdraw Israeli presence from the Gaza Strip, he went against the Labor Party's platform - and the vision that he had sought since he made his appearance on the stage of Israeli politics.  As a General of the Israeli Defense Forces, he fought battles in order to expand the state of Israel and advocated for Jewish settlements in these newly-owned territories.  What went through this patriot's mind when he made the decision to institute an unpopular idea?

I understand that Prime Minister Olmert feels threatened by the terrorists who have recently kidnapped several Israeli troops and increased the frequency of mortar attacks.  As always, Israel's security is in jeopardy.  Whether or not the Hamas militants commited an act of war by crossing the border and captured Israeli soldiers does not matter - the very act itself is unjustified and is a crime against the state of Israel.

Israel's response has been to send in tanks and to use air strikes.  The situation has escalated in both the north and the south.  However, the Israeli government needs to take steps to make sure that human rights on either side of the conflict are not trampled upon.  In this sudden surge of terrorist activity, Israel needs to be cautious and seriously consider the implications of the Bush Administration's "War on Terror" if the military decides to retaliate against Hezbollah, which has support from Syria and Iran. 

The powderkeg of the Middle East is just moments away from an explosion that will affect the entire region, which will in turn have a ripple effect across the rest of the world.  Could we be a few military manuevers away from a third world war?

NBC analysis: Israel at crossroads - Mideast/N. Africa - MSNBC.com

New York Times: "Once Again, Gazans Are Displaced by Israeli Occupiers"

In villages that are home to Palestinian refugees, the Israeli Defense Force has caused havoc for the average civilian who has been trying to survive in the constantly changing living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.  Avoiding diplomacy, the military exercise over the past two weeks has proven unsucessful in "forcing the release" of Corporal Gilad Shalit, who was captured by terrorists who are believed to have a connection to the Hamas-led Palestinian government.  In the process, more than 50 Palestinians have died, though most of them were militants. 

Israel continues the cycle of retaliation, using terror to fight terror.  Peace was only a temporary break from the lethal bickering that has been in existence since the State of Israel became a legal entity and internationally recognized.  Both sides have contributed to the conflict. 

Is a wall constructed around the Jewish state's border the only solution to this violence, perpetuated by actions that harm civilians?  I hope not.

Bulldozing the houses of Palestinians is not the answer, either.  The family of a suicidal terrorist is often unaware of their relative's plans.

Operation Mountain Thrust is currently underway in Afghanistan.  The mission is to expand the reach of the Afghan government into the lawless southeast and to stamp out the Taliban militants.  This method is referred to as "classic counterinsurgency," which separates the enemy from the population and denies it sanctuary or local support.  However, the results of this military operation will only be temporary unless the United States remains in the country for the long-term... which requires maintaining a presence of U.S. troops, an extensive amount of American resources, and patience.

But Afghanistan has been page-two news since we began Operation Freedom in Iraq two years after we toppled the Taliban.  And we have a similar situation where Saddam Hussein once reigned.  Have no fear, America the Nation-Builder is here!  Or there, anyway.  Iraq also needs a large number of troops and uses and excessive amount of U.S. resources. 

Another government overthrown.  Are we victorious?  No, not yet.  We have over-extended our troops (despite our massive military presence around the world) and billions of American dollars are being used to rebuild and restructure two governments.  The United States means well.  We want to promote freedom and spread democracy.  And in the process we have removed one harsh dictator and two corrupt governments.

The amount of effort and resources, as well as the length of time necessary, has caught America off-guard.  We have not failed to reach these goals yet.  However, our morale is sinking, our troops are being killed, our resources are being used up, our status in the international realm is dropping, and so on.  The good that we have instituted in these countries - the training of police officers and civil servants, the replenishment of electricity, the building of roads, the improvement of healthcare and education, among other things - is still shadowed by Taliban militants, tribal communities are being run by druglords, religious factions have crossed the brink of civil war, insurgents are still indistinguishable from harmless civilians, and the government infrastructures are not trusted by the people.

Who is the next target of our half-assed nation-building?  Perhaps it is the country who is situated inbetween Iraq and Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, who feels threatened by the U.S. hegemonic tendencies in this region and our contraversial ally, Israel.

Hearts, minds, loyalties in Afghanistan - South and Central Asia - MSNBC.com