'Civilian Casualty'?  It Depends  —  Those who supports terrorists are not entirely innocent.  —  THE NEWS IS filled these days with reports of civilian casualties, comparative civilian body counts and criticism of Israel, along with Hezbollah, for causing the deaths, injuries and "collective punishment" of civilians.

Troops Ready, but Israel Bets on Air Power  —  JERUSALEM, July 22 — On Israeli intelligence maps of southern Lebanon, the stronghold of the Hezbollah militia, there are numerals in circles that overlap many villages.  One is marked "8," others "7" or fewer.

Fatah: Hamas ready to accept deal on ceasefire, release of Shalit  —  Senior Fatah sources in Gaza said on Saturday that Hamas is ready to accept a deal that involves freeing abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, a joint cease-fire and an end to IDF actions in the Gaza Strip.

The Romance of Economics  —  Milton and Rose Friedman: Dinner with Keynes?  Yes.  War with Iraq?  They disagree.  —  PALO ALTO, Calif.—One doesn't interview a man like Milton Friedman—the Nobel laureate in economics in 1976 and among the five or six most consequential thinkers of the 20th century …

Official DNC Release On the Calendar  —  DEAN ON THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY PROCESS RECOMMENDATIONS  —  Washington, DC - Today, the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to add two states to the presidential primary calendar: Nevada will hold a caucus and South Carolina …

Israel set war plan more than a year ago  —  Strategy was put in motion as Hezbollah began gaining military strength in Lebanon  —  (07-21) 04:00 PDT Jerusalem — Israel's military response by air, land and sea to what it considered a provocation last week by Hezbollah militants …

America's domestic policy vs America's foreign policy  —  This week, George Bush used his presidential veto to block a bill on stem cell research, saying he couldn't support the 'taking of innocent human life'.  In Iraq, six civilians are killed by a US air strike, while casualties in Lebanon and Israel mount.

Bolton's Ways Foil Goals, Envoys Say  —  UNITED NATIONS, July 22 — In recent months, as one international crisis followed another, John R. Bolton has fulfilled the role of the United Nations' most influential ambassador at full strength, firmly articulating the position of the United States …

HEZBOLLAH'S PLAN....Why did Hezbollah conduct the cross-border raid last week that resulted in the capture of two Israeli soldiers?  What did Hezbollah's leader, Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, think he was going to accomplish?  I've read quite a few variations on the explanation offered here by Adam Shatz:

Buckley: Bush Not A True Conservative  —  In Exclusive Interview, Buckley Criticizes President For Interventionist Policies  —  (CBS) President Bush ran for office as a "compassionate conservative."  And he continues to nurture his conservative base — even issuing his first veto this week against embryonic stem cell research.