As if orchestrated extreme violence has flared up almost simultaneously in the Gaza strip and now in Lebanon. In both places a power struggle is taking place to distance any appearance of conciliatory actions to Israel by any Arab group. The Hamas in the Gaza strip has initiated gun battles with local militant groups while at the same time firing rockets into Israel.  The violence in the North should be seen in the same light as hamas el-quida sympathizers have attacked the Lebanese army near a refugee camp in Tripoli.

As predicted by many last summers two front wars seems to be starting again, As some may remember that the second Lebanon war started while there was major conflict in the south because of the killing and capture of Israeli soldiers.  All this should be seen with the backdrop of extreme difficulty that the United States is having in Iraq. Fundamentalist Islam seems to gaining the upper hand in Iraq and Iran seems to be defying with impunity world sanctions with regard to its nuclear program.    

All this is very encouraging to more extreme military Islamic groups and they are trying to take power both in Lebanon and Palestinian authority. Israel was shaken last summer by a conflict that drained her resources and demoralized her people. The Islamic Jihad is making strides in its never ending pursuit of establishing Islam at least in the middle east if not in the entire world..

The West needs to learn from historical mistakes and meet head on this affront to world freedom. As things look today Israel is facing grim choices as it dreads reentering the Gaza strip for yet another attempt at ridding its southern border of the Hamas. There seems to be no choice and it will happen sooner or later. This same grim choice may happen very soon in Lebanon.

Its important to note that in both places Israel unilaterally withdrew with hopes of  some semblance of quiet on both fronts. It’s become very clear to all but the most extreme that this was a mistake a terrible mistake.

War seems to be the only real option now.