A now dead Syrian was likely mastermind and ordered the hit but weakening Hizbollah and Iranian influence is the US's goal.

Pack up and run. When the going gets tough, the U.N. gets going. They run away like stripe-assed baboons. Is it any wonder no one takes the United Nations seriously? Leaving Israel (of course) to pick up the pieces should there be civil strife. Let's see -- the United States bailed out of there like rabbits in 1982. The ersatz "Palestinians" had massacred nearly half of the Maronite Christian Lebanese in the south; only Israel came to their rescue. It's like deja vu, all over again. Never fear, world. Israel will clean up your mess --- yet again.

The United States? Are you for real? Who in their right mind actually takes the U.S. seriously these days? Have you forgotten how the United States bailed out of Lebanon in 1982 after the "Palestinian" bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut? The U.S. left a helpless Maronite Christian Lebanese community twisting in the wind. If it weren't for Israel, the 80,000 Maronites that had not already been massacred by Arafat (may his name be cursed throughout eternity) and Co. would surely have been murdered. Don't look to the United Nations. Don't look to the United States. The only hope for a peaceful, safe Lebanon is Israel. Israel is the ONLY country that has not let Lebanon down. So stop talking about "U.S. goals." Under the current administration (and earlier ones), the U.S. talks a good talk but does nothing. Only Israel can help the Lebanese. And you know what? Stupidly enough (because the world WILL come down hard) -- Israel will. We are Jews. Fixing things is what we do. You'd think SOMEONE -- just once -- would remember to say "thank you."

those who reject all that values, mustnt be members of a government. when they killed hariri, they have to be punished for that.

So much for the UN being a credible deterrant. In fact, we can see the pieces coming together. First hezbollah threatens Hariri, now the UN pulls out. Next up incitement in lebanon and towards Israel serving as the excuse for hezbollah to take over. This is the world according to Iran and the labonese are simply along for the ride. Syria too is in the back seat as they must now realize that they were being manipulated by Iran becasue they have no say as to what is ocming. The Iranians and hezbollah may let some syrian syncophant become PM but only as long as he does what he is told. If the situation gets really difficult, expect an attack on Israel so that hezbollah can rally the country against the crusader. this is a dnagerous game that can quickly spiral out of control and my bet is that it will.

UNIFIL didn't want to partrol the border in the first place Let them pack their bags & head home

During civil unrest is exactly the time when the UN MUST remain as a buffer force. When Lebanon sinks, who do you think they will attack next, after killing each other? This is the 1980s all over again. Where ever there is trouble in the world, when things get tough, the UN gets going....out of the damn area so the slaughter will not affect them. If a crisis erupts internationally which will affect many civilians....its the UN who has the mandate to actually do something. If not, then why do they exist in the first place...as another Arab bloc for world manipulation akin to the Arab League, OIC, and OPEC?

Remember the many Christians who needed Israel's help to escape Muslim slaughter that happens all too regularly in the Middle East. There was Brigette Gabriel who converted from Islam to Christianity (and is subsequently with a death threat hanging over her for it) who was injured during the war between Israel and Lebanon and had to bribe people in Lebanon to help her to get medical help. Once she got to Israel - through Red Cross - every one rushed to help her, for free, and to take care of her. She cites this story as a reason she supports Israel and sees the humanity behind its Jewish character. While people like Salma cite only Sabra and Shantilla massacres, at the hands of the Christian Philangist, and wrongly attributed to Ariel Sharon.

they would cease to exist altogether because they are based on racist war crimes and human rights abuses through terror. Everyday Nasrallah breathes he breaks the law....so what do they care unless it gains them power and money?

Hezbollah drops out of the government and threatens violence. Therefore, UNIFIL, the organization that's there to prevent violence according to UN resolutions, say they need to stop doing their job. Remember, UNIFIL has already: 1) Hidden kidnapping information from Israel and lied about it 2) had officers sit down for lunch and tea with terrorists 3) Tell its soldiers to stop taking pictures of Hezbollah violations and then said it had no proof of such violations The UN has expired.

Remember? They are there to make sure her-bollah (murdering crybaby sissies) who fire at Israel from military positions like hospitals and apartment buildings, will not and can not re-arm since the 2006 war. If memory serves me, they are mostly French troops. And we all know what warriors they are? NOT. This time, they'll most likely join in on the war against mean old Israel.

The UN is running from the middle east now the are causing trouble in ivory coast and even thinking of adding 2,000 more peace keepers + 8,000 stationed there.

You seem to forget that Ronald Reagan ordered the cut & run (your implication) from Lebanon after the Marine Barracks bombing. The truth was, he didn't and couldn't get a Congressional authorization for a declaration of war and he knew it. So CIA then ordered a terrorist bombing, in concert with the Saudis. That missed and got a bunch of school girls, instead. The US learned in Vietnam and Reagan knew, the US cannot fight a war without the support of the American people. It was not there for Lebanon. As for the UN, maybe you should read the English version of the UNIFIL role in Lebanon. It is spelled out pretty specifically in the 1701 resolution (English official) version. It was one of John Bolton's finer pieces of work. In short, they do the bidding of and assist as requested by the Lebanese government and only then in a limited capacity. If this report is accurate, then UNIFIL is reacting to a request from the Lebanese government. Likely they are concerned with an invasion possibility from the south. They probably would not like to be asked to help defend the Lebanese Southern border. It would create a dilemma for both the UNIFIL and Israel since UNIFIL is equipped to defend itself with more than Korean War-vintage weapons.

are you suggesting the historical explanation cannot be found entirely in Sarah B's thought-provoking theory about ''American cowardice'' ? Are you accusing Sarah B of using moron-level rhetoric in her posts? Goodness gracious me - who woulda thunk it.

A well known fact, ask any former Marine. The U.S. Marine Corps is the only armed force that the POTUS can order anywhere in the world without congressional approval. They are and always have been his own combat force to do with as he see's fit. And about the Beruit barrack murders, still a shameful thing for all Americans to live with.