Nicely done, David. I have literally spent years professionally embroiled in this topic from university courses, to military planning, to practical application on the ground in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. There isn't much that I haven't heard in the discussion cycle. Most who wax prolific on the subject are trotting out their preformed opinions and cherry picking their supporting data. These so called experts are either pro-Israel or anti-Israel with not a great deal of ground between. Yours is probably the most bias-free narrative that I've read.
So agree with you on the Hamas x Israel. I recently started digging more and more into the history of the conflict and I appreciate you writing about this. Although, there's maybe one thing you said that doesn't quite sit with me. The "Hamas supporting" University students and all that. I don't think that it has ever been about supporting Hamas (God no), I've actually never come across someone pro Palestinian that sympathised with Hamas. It's just more of a solidarity with Palestine thing. But I definitely agree with everything else you said, and I'd love to see more posts in the future about this topic, if you have anything else to say. As I'd be very interested.
Anyway,I just finished War Lord, and I can't wait to borrow Standoff from the library tomorrow. Loved every word from you since I layed my hands on The Death Trust. Have a nice day xx
Thank you for the great review on the books! It really is appreciated. As for the piece on the Gaza conflict, have you read my series titled MIRE IN THE MIDDLE EAST? Plenty of background there if you're interested. Just go to davidrollins.substack.com. Again, thanks!
David hi, I have read your article about Israel with interest , and I suspect advocating any support for Hamas & Hezbollah both listed terrorist organisations strikes me as misplaced. A few of your points trying to argue in favour of both terrorist organisations are mostly inaccurate, and I don't accept the premise that most ( I assume you mean Australians) Australians support Hamas.
I think it fair to say, that if a terrorist organisation bent on destroying Australia raped, murdered, tortured, incinerated and beheaded 1200 of our citizens, and then took 250 hostages on our continent - eizengruppen like - I dare say we would not be calling for a ceasefire until we had achieved unconditional surrender of the aggressor. The same can be said, that if a terrorist regime landed 9000 missiles in an area between Canberra and Newcastle - the size of Israel - displacing 60,000 of our citizens we would be retaliating with everything we have, and not listening to the UN or others calling for a ceasefire.
Qatar gifted Gaza in 23/24 $1B US dollars, so Hamas instead of spending the money on schools and hospitals built underground tunnels and topped up their military arsenal. Therefore, if you want peace in the Middle East insist on Hamas returning the hostages and then surrender. Then we can work towards a two state solution with the Arab countries leading the initiative. Incidentally, have you noticed not one of the Arab States are throwing in their military wares to support the terrorists.
The death of one innocent citizen is one too many. but throwing support behind a terrorist group is a 'bridge too far'. Thanks DJB
Hmmm...I think you might have misread what I wrote. In no way do I support either Hamas or Hezbollah. What I said is that Hamas seems to have won the war for hearts and minds. Have you seen the feckless, passionate demonstrations at universities around the world supporting the concept of "the river to the sea," which is nothing less than stating a desire for the end of Israel? I think you should read what I wrote again, David. Let me know specifically where I veer into supporting either of these Iran-funded extremist Islamist groups.
No worries, David. I rushed back to my piece and read it again just to make sure. And yes, it’s terribly difficult to parse. A hypothetical thought experiment - what would happen if both Iran and the US left the fight (financially and militarily), leaving Israel and the Palestinians to sort it out on their own. But neither power would do that. Too much self interest and domestic political issues at stake.
Every time I read one of your essays Dave, I get more anxious about where we’re all heading. Would Putin really launch a nuclear weapon? I have to believe not but who knows…
No, I don't think he would. It would be existential for him and his regime. But he drags out this threat every time he doesn't like the way the war is going for him. And, in making this threat now, he's hoping to influence the decision about letting Ukraine use Western weapons to strike deeper into Russia. It's all bluster, but it does, I think, give Western leaders pause.
I can't help but think that we're interfering in a civil war, when it comes to Ukraine.. It would be as if Texas seceded from the Union, was allowed to because the US was too weak at the time. Then,, the US got strong enough, and decided to take it back. Russia wants Ukraine, what was once known as THE Ukraine, back.
Interesting point of view, Steve. I haven’t heard that one. There are some major emotional differences as far as the Ukrainians’ think, though. Ukraine has, but for a brief periods in a very long history, thought of itself as an independent nation. And when it was colonised as part of the Soviet Union, for example, it was not treated very well. Stalin’s forced deportation/immigration program springs to mind, along with the induced famine that killed millions. Ukraine has long wanted to run away from its neighbour. You can hardly blame them.
The analogy, although seductive, is false. Unlike Texas, Ukraine's sovereignty and borders were internationally recognized; even by Russia. To be blunt, Putin is doing this because he is a bully, and he can. Having and threatening the use of nuclear weapons is a great influence on public opinion. The world would not tolerate for one second a similar action on the part of Spain to require Portugal or Argentina.
Nicely done, David. I have literally spent years professionally embroiled in this topic from university courses, to military planning, to practical application on the ground in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. There isn't much that I haven't heard in the discussion cycle. Most who wax prolific on the subject are trotting out their preformed opinions and cherry picking their supporting data. These so called experts are either pro-Israel or anti-Israel with not a great deal of ground between. Yours is probably the most bias-free narrative that I've read.
Thanks, Panda.
So agree with you on the Hamas x Israel. I recently started digging more and more into the history of the conflict and I appreciate you writing about this. Although, there's maybe one thing you said that doesn't quite sit with me. The "Hamas supporting" University students and all that. I don't think that it has ever been about supporting Hamas (God no), I've actually never come across someone pro Palestinian that sympathised with Hamas. It's just more of a solidarity with Palestine thing. But I definitely agree with everything else you said, and I'd love to see more posts in the future about this topic, if you have anything else to say. As I'd be very interested.
Anyway,I just finished War Lord, and I can't wait to borrow Standoff from the library tomorrow. Loved every word from you since I layed my hands on The Death Trust. Have a nice day xx
Nicole
Hey, Nicole
Thank you for the great review on the books! It really is appreciated. As for the piece on the Gaza conflict, have you read my series titled MIRE IN THE MIDDLE EAST? Plenty of background there if you're interested. Just go to davidrollins.substack.com. Again, thanks!
David hi, I have read your article about Israel with interest , and I suspect advocating any support for Hamas & Hezbollah both listed terrorist organisations strikes me as misplaced. A few of your points trying to argue in favour of both terrorist organisations are mostly inaccurate, and I don't accept the premise that most ( I assume you mean Australians) Australians support Hamas.
I think it fair to say, that if a terrorist organisation bent on destroying Australia raped, murdered, tortured, incinerated and beheaded 1200 of our citizens, and then took 250 hostages on our continent - eizengruppen like - I dare say we would not be calling for a ceasefire until we had achieved unconditional surrender of the aggressor. The same can be said, that if a terrorist regime landed 9000 missiles in an area between Canberra and Newcastle - the size of Israel - displacing 60,000 of our citizens we would be retaliating with everything we have, and not listening to the UN or others calling for a ceasefire.
Qatar gifted Gaza in 23/24 $1B US dollars, so Hamas instead of spending the money on schools and hospitals built underground tunnels and topped up their military arsenal. Therefore, if you want peace in the Middle East insist on Hamas returning the hostages and then surrender. Then we can work towards a two state solution with the Arab countries leading the initiative. Incidentally, have you noticed not one of the Arab States are throwing in their military wares to support the terrorists.
The death of one innocent citizen is one too many. but throwing support behind a terrorist group is a 'bridge too far'. Thanks DJB
Hmmm...I think you might have misread what I wrote. In no way do I support either Hamas or Hezbollah. What I said is that Hamas seems to have won the war for hearts and minds. Have you seen the feckless, passionate demonstrations at universities around the world supporting the concept of "the river to the sea," which is nothing less than stating a desire for the end of Israel? I think you should read what I wrote again, David. Let me know specifically where I veer into supporting either of these Iran-funded extremist Islamist groups.
Yes, you are right . My apologies for the misread. A very complex issue.
No worries, David. I rushed back to my piece and read it again just to make sure. And yes, it’s terribly difficult to parse. A hypothetical thought experiment - what would happen if both Iran and the US left the fight (financially and militarily), leaving Israel and the Palestinians to sort it out on their own. But neither power would do that. Too much self interest and domestic political issues at stake.
Every time I read one of your essays Dave, I get more anxious about where we’re all heading. Would Putin really launch a nuclear weapon? I have to believe not but who knows…
No, I don't think he would. It would be existential for him and his regime. But he drags out this threat every time he doesn't like the way the war is going for him. And, in making this threat now, he's hoping to influence the decision about letting Ukraine use Western weapons to strike deeper into Russia. It's all bluster, but it does, I think, give Western leaders pause.
I can't help but think that we're interfering in a civil war, when it comes to Ukraine.. It would be as if Texas seceded from the Union, was allowed to because the US was too weak at the time. Then,, the US got strong enough, and decided to take it back. Russia wants Ukraine, what was once known as THE Ukraine, back.
Interesting point of view, Steve. I haven’t heard that one. There are some major emotional differences as far as the Ukrainians’ think, though. Ukraine has, but for a brief periods in a very long history, thought of itself as an independent nation. And when it was colonised as part of the Soviet Union, for example, it was not treated very well. Stalin’s forced deportation/immigration program springs to mind, along with the induced famine that killed millions. Ukraine has long wanted to run away from its neighbour. You can hardly blame them.
The analogy, although seductive, is false. Unlike Texas, Ukraine's sovereignty and borders were internationally recognized; even by Russia. To be blunt, Putin is doing this because he is a bully, and he can. Having and threatening the use of nuclear weapons is a great influence on public opinion. The world would not tolerate for one second a similar action on the part of Spain to require Portugal or Argentina.