Top Items:
Ynetnews:
Report: Israel gives Syria ultimatum — London-based Arabic language newspaper Al-Hayat says Israel gave Syria 72 hours to stop Hizbullah's activity, bring about release of kidnapped IDF troops. 'Israel will not end military activity until new situation created that will prevent Syria …
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Khaled Yacoub Oweis / Reuters:
Syria says fully backs Hizbollah against Israel — DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Syria will support Hizbollah and Lebanon against Israel's attacks on the country, the ruling Baath Party said on Friday, defying the Jewish state and its chief ally Washington. — "The Syrian people are ready …
Captain Ed / Captain's Quarters:
Syrian Power Structure Bypassing Assad? — Syria made its official entry into the war breaking out between Israel and Hezbollah, pledging to come to the aid of Hezbollah and Lebanon if necessary to ensure Israel's defeat. However, the statement did not come from Bashar Assad …
Captain Ed / Captain's Quarters:
Israel Issues Ultimatum To Syria — Perhaps sensing a leadership vacuum in Damascus based on the odd report yesterday that Bashar Assad did not participate in a Ba'ath Party leadership conference, Israel has issued an ultimatum to Syria demanding the return of its soldiers and the end to Hezbollah activity along the border.
Discussion:
The Big Pharaoh, The Anchoress, All Things Beautiful, Liberty and Justice and Yourish.com
Sam F. Ghattas / Associated Press:
Israel targets Hezbollah in south Beirut — BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israeli warplanes pounded Hezbollah's south Beirut stronghold and roads around the country, killing at least 15 Lebanese as they fled the onslaught. Hezbollah expanded its rocket fire, hitting another of Israel's main cities …
William Kristol / Weekly Standard:
It's Our War — WHY IS THIS ARAB-ISRAELI WAR different from all other Arab-Israeli wars?
It's Our War — WHY IS THIS ARAB-ISRAELI WAR different from all other Arab-Israeli wars?
Discussion:
Outside The Beltway, Security Watchtower, Blogs for Bush, Democrat Taylor Marsh … and JustinLogan.com
The Sandmonkey / Rantings of a Sandmonkey:
Surprised? — Insansity seems like a viable option right now.
Surprised? — Insansity seems like a viable option right now.
Laura Rozen / American Prospect:
The Rules of the Game — An American mediator with Hezbollah …
The Rules of the Game — An American mediator with Hezbollah …
Discussion:
american footprints, Ezra Klein, War and Piece, The Washington Monthly and Michael J. Totten
Lebanon.Profile / Lebanese Political Journal:
Becoming a Refugee — We have no sympathy for Israel's position right now.
Becoming a Refugee — We have no sympathy for Israel's position right now.
Discussion:
Michael J. Totten
Yaakov Katz / Jerusalem Post:
Body of sailor missing after strike on warship recovered — For previous 200 talkbacks click here. — Bodies of two of the four missing Israeli soldiers on a warship that was attacked by Hizbullah off the coast of Lebanon were found Saturday aboard the damaged vessel, military officials said.
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Associated Press:
Israel Official: Iran Helping Hezbollah — JERUSALEM (AP) — A missile fired by Hezbollah, not an unmanned drone laden with explosives, damaged an Israeli warship off Lebanon, the army said Saturday. Iranian troops helped fire the missile, a senior intelligence official said.
Bill Roggio / Counterterrorism Blog:
The War Widens, Hezbollah Strikes Egyptian, Israeli Ships with UAVs — The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated, as Hezbollah has conducted two sea strikes against an Israeli warship and an Egyptian civilian ship, possibly a cruise liner. While initial reports are stating …
Discussion:
The Belmont Club, The Glittering Eye, Liberty and Justice, Blue Crab Boulevard and USS Neverdock
Anthony Shadid / Washington Post:
Israel, Hezbollah Vow Wider War
Israel, Hezbollah Vow Wider War
Discussion:
The Strata-Sphere, Obsidian Wings, TigerHawk, The Politburo Diktat, To the People and american footprints
Diana Jean Schemo / New York Times:
Public Schools Perform Near Private Ones in Study — WASHINGTON, July 14 — The Education Department reported on Friday that children in public schools generally performed as well or better in reading and mathematics than comparable children in private schools.
Associated Press:
Former CIA officer: Cheney, Rove engaged in 'whispering campaign' — Plame alleges Bush administration officials ruined her career — WASHINGTON (AP) — Former CIA officer Valerie Plame and her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, said Friday they decided to sue Vice President Dick Cheney …
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David Lightman / Hartford Courant:
Evaluating Lieberman: A Party Guy? — WASHINGTON — By the numbers, Joe Lieberman is a true, consistent Democrat. — He votes with Democratic colleagues almost all the time. His record gets him high marks from interest groups close to the party, from the AFL-CIO to the NAACP.
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Ritholtz / The Big Picture:
Post-9/11 Option Grants Under Scrutiny — The WSJ continues its recent habit of burying killer stories in the under read Saturday edition. This week's bombshell has to do with post 9/11 earnings grants: … What makes this so pathetic is that corporate executives could have stepped …
Rick Weiss / Washington Post:
Clash Over Stem Cell Research Heats Up — Scientists Dispute Claims of Leading Foe of Bill to Ease Embryo Restrictions — With just days to go before the Senate is scheduled to vote on a hotly anticipated bill that would loosen President Bush's restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research …
Mike McIntire / New York Times:
New House Majority Leader Keeps Old Ties to Lobbyists — Representative John A. Boehner won the job of House majority leader amid a post-Abramoff clamor for an overhaul of lobbying and ethics rules. But nearly six months later, the changes are still tied up in Congress.
Discussion:
Bring it On!
Susan Schmidt / Washington Post:
Abramoff Lobbying of White House Probed — The House Government Reform Committee has subpoenaed the former law firm of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff for records of any contacts he or members of his lobbying team had with the Bush White House. — Chairman Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) …