Reg Edwards wrote:
"But this Xmas try not to forget the terrible conditions, incessant
bombing with USA-manufactured weapons of mass destruction, and
USA-imposed economic sanctions----etc, etc, etc."

The intent has been minimization of deaths. We wanted to shock and awe
our enemies by display of our fantastic weapons and lay seige with
sanctions.

We have been successful. It will take a little longer to convince the
defeated that it was just what they had always wanted.

It was the British which brewed this whole mess during the First World
War. Britain was bankrupt and sought money from Jewish bankers by
promising a new Jewish homeland.

Chaim Weizman in 1919 wrote:
"I think that the God of Israel is with us. Both God in heaven and
Balfour in England viewed with favour the establishment in Palestine of
a national home for the Jewish people."

Britain drew the boundaries in the Middle East following the 1920 San
Remo Conference. Churchill offered King Abdullah of Jordan, the area
east of the Jordan River to keep peace between Britain and France.
Abdullah`s brother, Feisal would regain power in Syria, which was under
French control. Churchill tried to make the case for a Zionist state
with Arab leaders.

Britain created the mess for the money. They were desperate because
Victoria`s grandsons were at war in Europe. It was no more than
Britain`s duty to help the USA to try to clean up the mess that Britain
made at the end of WW-1.

Conflict between Arabs and Jews continued between the world wars.
Churchill reiterated Balfour in WW-2, to again get money. Britain was
broke again. Following WW-2, a flood of European Jews poured into
Palestine. Britain reacted with a partition and an honest attempt to
keep the peace.

The restraint of the British forces in Palestine was remarkable,
considering the provocations from all sides. I often wondered why
Britain just didn`t say: A pox on both your houses. Well, the Arab
Middle East holds most of the world`s onshore oil, a prize that can`t be
abandoned.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI