Has anyone realized that the Arab Muslims in Tunisia are protesting for freedom and democracy and not for an Islamic revolution? The Tunisian turmoil show what the Arab masses really want, but that doesn't fit into the prejudiced minds of the islamophobes.

well, that is enough strategy for today (not to mention all that IL has got and can do)! The down side to all that is, unfortunately, IL has Arabs (and might I say 'unhappy Arabs' in their own other back yard), so technically, IL is screwed. I hope IL eyes that part, : "global terrorism, volatility, instability, unpredictable violence, intra-Arab treachery, tenuous compliance with commitments, short-lived intra-Arab agreements, shifting alliances internally and externally, uncertainty, oppressive totalitarianism and divisiveness" (which IL, and Jews itself is guilty of. Hey, go read about Rabbi assistance in the Holocaust!) really good, because it also inevitably (and slyly) refers to the Palis,( just give them some time; a very 'patient' people, arent they?!) those other people in in IL's midst that fall under IL policy and politics. Anyway, to close with one lesson which Mr. Ettinger has forgotten which is as equally important as strategy 101 that he has eloquently given is that: History repeats itself. One can only try to prolong the inevitable. As 'Jews', IL should already know that. Actually, there is another lesson that israelis could learn from Tunisia, but then again, there is more support of its racist policies and ideology from the citizens and brainwash that it breeds its newer generations into...that it is not worth going on as it will never materialize. One thing out of this that will actually materialize (as can be already seen is the bad PR against it) is IL's downfall. so much for the article...IL will never be safe

Somebody should occasionally look at a map. Tunis is south of Rome. Hardly the Middle East. Genetically, some are related to Lebanon since Carthage was founded by ancient Lebanese. But Albania may as well then be called Middle Eastern. Speaking Arabic does not make anything Middle Eastern any more than speaking English makes anything European. They speak English in Australia and Canada and New Zealand. They also speak Hebrew in New York. But that does not make it Israeli either any more than the Greek spoken in some New York neighborhoods or the Arabic spoken in some Detroit neighborhoods make New York City or Detroit Greek or Middle Eastern.

It seems to me that you are the right person to convince people.Go for it.I wish you and Am Israel Hazlaha.

You are exaggerating. A small minority of the people called "Palestinians" have been in Israel for so long. Most of the "Palestinians" are foreign immigrants who came to Israel since 1920 during the British occupation.

Israel needs an ideology,in her case the Tora. Israel also needs positive people,(read#27),people who know exactly what they want,how to obtain it,and go for it,with all their power and soul,and doing that,with G-Ds help, Israel will be safe. Was the in 1948 conquest less difficult, than keeping our land now? I don t think so.But in 1948 all Jews were like ONE MAN and knew exactly what was their task.They had a very clear message.And don t underestimate the prayers of Jews from all parts of the world .We had G-D on our side.SHALOM

No mountain range or desert can protect Israel from a serious invading Army. The author talks about the American retreat and the new geopolitical releaties forming in the world. Israel should start building honest bridges. Fake peace you make with dictators ends when they end. Making genuine peace with the nations, lasts for ever.

to make peace, with nations that do not want peace?

"Regional pressures led Jordan's King Abdullah and King Hussein to join the wars on Israel in 1948/9 and in 1967 and 1973 respectively. "

The country belongs to the people,who speak it's language,practice it's religion and culture.

Syrian freedom ? ! Because of you humanity is in danger all over the world,Jews in Israel are freer than you,the difference is,Israel's enemies are external,while your enemy is not Israel,but your own regime.

...place in the world in which he can forget that he's Jewish. I'd agree with him on that. Israel is our home and we'll defend her as we've always done. Walla, why not focus on your own problems in Syria...you're far from free..watch out for the 'muhabarat'. Blaming us for your shortcomings is rather stale...and not eagle-like. We're not your dhimmies any more and that's hard for your Arab pride to digest. Ma'alesh

First off - it's our land. The Arabs are occupying the land that was LEGALLY allotted to us. They have not one legal claim to the land. Second 'He forgot entirely that in the age of Rockets, small mountain does not offer any defensive capability.' You have just proven that you not only have never served in any military - you know absolutely nothing about the military. Today the high ground is even more important than it ever was. As long as we have it - the Arabs have a much harder problem correcting their aim. We on the other hand can see and eliminate the terrorists firing those rockets. Rockets do not win wars. With the high ground we can maintain vigil around the clock regardless of weather with far less troops. No stupid the high ground is very important in this age as well.

Excellent analysis!

Hello, my friends! The sun is shining today... and once again, Al Jazeera revealed that our dictatorships are pro-Zyonysts, pro-Ysraiel Mosad Agents... This is a great day for Arab freedom! Phantastic! First of all, I noticed something very interesting. Most of those who responded to me are not in Issrayel. They are spread all over the world... I want to congratulate you to this smart decision to live outside of Israhel. This is, as I wrote many times, very secure for you. It also proves that the future of you is not in Israyel but everywhere in the world... To those, who hinted at my limited freedom, I must repeat myself again for you to understand. One day, all Arab dictatorships will collapse, because dictatorships are not natural conditions of human beings. The same applies to theft, robbery, murder and genocide. Ysrael can not commit these crimes forever. it is not in our human nature to commit these crimes on an ongoing basis. Hence, I emphasize that both, Ysrahel and Arab dcitatorships will collapse together. שיהיה לך יום נעים

If we, Europeans, do not wish any Muslim immigrants in Europe, we must do anything to improve the living conditions of Muslims in their own countries. How do we do that? 1. Stop wars in those region! Wars leads to refugees, who will come to Europe 2. Stop Israeli aggression against Palestinian people. Force Israel to comply with all UN resolutions 3. Stop the support of dictatorships in the ME, who are exploiting their own populations and make life truly ugly. This is in our, European, interest and in the interest of Arabs, who want to have better life... Please refrain from any racist comments that Arabs are not capable of improving their lives.. I will not respond to these comments.

Syrian ! Many Jews lived outside the land of Israel for the last 2500 years,and still were very much connected to the land,concerning the allegations you bring up against Israel,you are brain washed by Aljezira,who finds a fertile ground in people like you,who need an enemy to bash,Arabs in Israel and in East Jerusalem,prefer to live in Israel,under, so called oppression,rather than under Hamas or Abumazen.

How good is democracy ? ,if sharia has the final word, like in Pakistan, Afganistan,and Iraq, the Muslim world needs an independent secular judicial system,to protect individual liberties,(which will never happen) in pakistan a governor was killed by an Army officer for coming out against a sharia law,democracy in the Muslim world means,to choose between one fanatical party over another,Muslims prefer sharia to individual liberties,the Muslims who came to Europe,came not because of wars,but for economic reasons,and they would like to change the laws of their host countries with sharia laws, concerning Israel and the U.N.the U.N is a corrupt,biased Anti Israel organization,trying to please the muslim brothehood and people like you,who have their own agenda,Israel has the right and the duty to defend itself against homocide bombers,Gaza is a independent state, ruled by a democratically elected government,still, they continuesly attack Israel,if not for Israel the same people will take over the west bank too,democratically,of course, if you don't respond,it's because you can't respond.

You are a complete whack job. Have you quite forgotten what happened to the Jews of Europe during the Nazi Era? Are you aware of the persistent persecution endured by the Jewish people for millennia in Europe? How about the Jews who enjoyed dhimmi status in Arab and Moslem lands? Have you forgotten that nearly one million were unceremoniously expelled following Israel's victory in 1948; tens of thousands more were expelled following Israel's victory in 1967. By the way -- don't worry about my safety. Israel is a nuclear power. Worry about your own safety -- remember what your own government did to the people of Hama in February 1982? Estimates of the death toll run as high as 40,000. Perhaps you would be safer in the United States or Canad or Germany or even Russia.