Alarm in Lebanon?

Hezbollah chief issues tough warning to Lebanon 'spies'

news.yahoo.com...

BEIRUT (AFP) – Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah warned the Lebanese government on Monday against sharing telecommunications information with the United States, saying any such move would be tantamount to collaborating with the Israeli enemy.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Tensions seem to be running high all over the Middle East? Apparently, the Lebanese government and Hezbollah is a little uneasy about a recent request by the US embassy for sensitive information about their communications infrastructure?

Lebanese officials meet to discuss US 'spying' plot report

Energy Minister Gebran Bassil, who was telecommunications minister at the time of the US request, confirmed that he had turned it down.

"They had requested access to very detailed information on the mobile phone service providers in Lebanon -- the stations, the antennas, technical information," Bassil told AFP. "No one should request this information, whoever they are and for whatever end.

news.yahoo.com...

We must remember Lebanon is the home of Hezbollah and Iran's foreign paramilitary arm. This may be a means to keep tabs on the militant group in the event the US/Israel attack Iran? If an attack occurs, this group will no doubt funnel into Iraq and Israel to cause disruption and chaos.

They may even activate sleeper cells in the United States as well, because there is a large Lebanese population there. This may be just another building block to the war with Iran that has been kicked around for quite a long time now? Why would the US government want detailed information about a sovereign nations communications infrastructure if not with the sole intention of eavesdropping and disruption during conflict?

Then there has been allegations of spy networks collaborating with both Israel and the United States as well.

Hezbollah chief issues tough warning to Lebanon 'spies'

A Lebanese arrested last month on suspicion of spying for Israel on Monday confessed to his involvement a 2004 bomb attack that killed Hezbollah official Ghaleb Awali, a security source told AFP.

"We have almost solid proof that he was behind the bombing, which he does not deny, although he has backtracked a few times on his confession," the source said on condition of anonymity.

. . . Retired security official Mahmud Qassem Rafeh, 63, was sentenced to death last month for "collaboration and espionage on behalf of the Israeli enemy," according to the verdict handed down by a military tribunal.

He was also convicted of involvement in the 2006 car bomb murder in the southern coastal town of Sidon of brothers Mahmoud and Nidal Mazjoub, members of the Islamic Jihad group.

news.yahoo.com...

The leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, has commented on the recent allegations of US spying as well, and judging by his response, he is a little uneasy about the current situation.

Hezbollah chief issues tough warning to Lebanon 'spies'

"The US embassy is sending letters to ministries and security forces asking for information," Nasrallah said via video link to his supporters massed in Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs.

"This is dangerous as it is a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, but its real danger lies elsewhere," he said.

"Because of the strategic relationship and unity between the United States and Israel ... any information gathered through such requests, like spy rings, reaches Israelis.

"In other words, it is giving Israel information by proxy on a silver platter, and we hope there are no Lebanese citizens collaborating with the US embassy in the matter," he said.

news.yahoo.com...

According to the two articles cited above, both Israel and the US is remaining silent about the whole affair. However, something is going on in Lebanon to get the leadership as shaken-up as they are at the moment? Maybe, Israel is getting ready for another invasion, if the fireworks begin concerning Iran? Before any invasion, the invading force makes every effort to neutralize communication among the ranks of the enemy.

Another interesting development, no doubt related to the article above would be Hezbollah's concerns over the conspiracy in Dubai.

Hezbollah ups security after Hamas Dubai slaying

BEIRUT – Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group has beefed up security measures following January's killing of a top Hamas operative in Dubai and openly asked Lebanese authorities to tighten border controls against would be assassins.

news.yahoo.com...

If Israel was involved in the assassination of that high level Hamas member as is speculated, then it may have been an indirect message to Hezbollah as well? Then, as recently as last Friday, the Hezobollah leader had a meeting with the Iranian and Syrian leadership in Damascus.

Hezbollah chief meets Ahmadinejad in Damascus

Hassan Nasrallah attended a dinner banquet in Damascus Thursday hosted by President Bashar al-Assad in honour of his visiting Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the official agency said without giving further details.

But Hezbollah's Al-Manar television in Lebanon reported that Nasrallah and Ahmadinejad met to discuss "the latest developments in the region, and Zionist threats against Lebanon and Syria."

news.yahoo.com...

Just some developments that have struck my interest in the Middle East at present. Maybe, this is rather mundane and routine in the world of international intrigue concerning the hotly contested political environment of the Middle East, or maybe, there is more here than meets the eye?





[edit on 1-3-2010 by Jakes51]

reply to post by Jakes51


This sure sounds to me like an indirect thread of terrorism based upon blackmail.

Do not do something, or the Hezbollah will do something you will not like.

Pure idiocy at its finest, and while I do not agree with our troops being in the Middle East, I sure am seeing more into their mindset, every day.

One has to wonder when someone resorts to threats, if they believe they are more powerful than words of peace, or if it is experience in the shifting policies of America, which makes our country look like constant liars.

Foreign policy is something I know as well as our domestic policy and both constantly shift.

If we look at the map of Lebanon from the C.I.A. World Fact Book :

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/263eeb082333.gif[/atsimg]

We can see that Beirut is the capital and Tripoli is on that map as well.

Historically speaking Beirut has always been a hotbed of violence, off and on.

We all remember the Marine Corp song, correct?

The Marines' Hymn


If you do not know that Tripoli is a part of the Marine Corps song, you do not know your history, and personally, I say send in the Devil Dogs, the Marines.

I've spoken to soldiers who were overseas, not necessarily Lebanon, but in the far and sandy deserts of the Middle East, and when those fighting against our soldiers would see the Marines coming in they would run like Hell.

If it was a different military branch, ground-pounding their way into battle, those same people would stay and fight, or lay I.E.D.'s, etc.

No one messes with the Marine Corpos because they do not mess around.

As far as I'm concerned the Marines are one step below the Navy S.E.A.L.'s.

Another group we could do good sending after the Hezbollah.

Again, while I do not necessarily agree with us being there, I see zero point in wasting time there, kick their butts, and bring our boys and girls home.

Hezbollah, watch out, you should never give someone a warning.

This gives them time to anticipate and pre-plan a counter-attack.

Tensions seem to be ratcheting up over there but I am a bit confused as to why the big concern over the telecommunications issue.

The NSA already monitors and records every telephone call in the world be it satellite, cellular or land line and has long had that technology and its long been common knowledge.

Most of Lebanon’s internet traffic is easily accessible to both by Israel and the United States. Lebanon became aware of that last year and since a connection to the World Wide Web is world wide it’s very hard to defeat except through sophisticated encryption.

My big fear here is Israel could be on the verge of what might be a huge miscalculation for the world in kicking off any kind of overt hostilities against Iran. Iran is certain to block at least temporarily the narrow straights of Hormuz which most oil tankers have to pass through with either mines or scuttled ships.

The last time they did that after the ‘accidental’ downing of an Iran Air Airbus 300 Commercial Passenger flight by a U.S. Aegis Class Destroyer whose attack system mistook it for a military plane it took a month to remove all the mines the Iranians planted. We had to reflag oil tankers to give them U.S. Military Escort and the mine sweeping effort delayed anything coming out of there for two weeks and then slowed down traffic for a month. That was without full on hostilities no telling what it would be like with full on hostilities but it’s a safe bet Iran will do it again and be able to do it again. A sudden and drastic spike in oil prices could be the straw that breaks the precarious world’s economy back at this point and leads to a world wide economic collapse.

Beyond that though Israel might be hard pressed if a situation developed out of it where it had to face Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, Hezbollah and the Lebanese army along that border, and Syria streaming up the Golan Heights with the U.S. not being able to do much as it tried to contain Iran with Naval operations in the Gulf and cross border incursions from Iraq and Afghanistan into Iraq. Should some other Arab nation enter into it at that point, well a lot of Israelis could end up regretting it as well as the rest of the world.

The scary part is with the world economy in the precarious situation it is and hyper inflation possibly ticking like a time bomb because of bail outs and printing too much money and net to debt ratios, the governments and their politicians might prefer a more face saving way out by crashing it through this kind of war.

Troubling times, that we definitely need to hope will pass in my humble opinion.

reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas


Yes, I am seeing it as a indirect threat as well. Some Hezbollah operatives have been arrested in Iraq, with allegations against them for assisting the insurgency.

Iran, Hezbollah train Iraqi Shia "Secret Cells"

Among those captured was Ali Mussa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah operative. Daqduq has a pedigree with Lebanese Hezbollah, an Iranian-created operation, and Iran's Qods Force. Daqduq is a 24-year veteran of Hezbollah, who has commanded both a Hezbollah special operations unit and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s security detail.

"In 2005, he was directed by senior Lebanese Hezbollah leadership to go to Iran and work with the Qods Force to train Iraqi extremists," said Brig Gen Bergner.

www.longwarjournal.org...

What is to stop them from attacking other US targets, when the call comes from their masters in Tehran? This group which is being harbored by the Lebanese government has actively sent its own members to train Iraqi insurgents to attack US troops. There are other stories about Lebanese Hezbollah in Iraq during the insurgency as well.

Apparently, they were getting their marching orders from Tehran? Again, I think these recent accusations of US led espionage in Lebanon has a lot to do with the saber rattling concerning sanctions, and the potential military strike on Iran? I will be watching this closely. It is just another building block to confrontation with Iran. Thanks for the reply.


[edit on 2-3-2010 by Jakes51]

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
Tensions seem to be ratcheting up over there but I am a bit confused as to why the big concern over the telecommunications issue.

The NSA already monitors and records every telephone call in the world be it satellite, cellular or land line and has long had that technology and its long been common knowledge.

Yes, there is no denying that something big is in the works, and involving the entire region of the Middle East. However, I think you give the National Security Agency far to much credit. The world is a big place and technological advances in communications are constant, and being sold by nations to others daily. Apparently, Lebanon and their telecommunications infrastructure is of critical importance to both the US and Israel? The NSA is probably one of the most sophisticated surveillance networks in the world, but I highly doubt they have the capability to listen to every bit of communication over the mediums you mentioned above?

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
Most of Lebanon’s internet traffic is easily accessible to both by Israel and the United States. Lebanon became aware of that last year and since a connection to the World Wide Web is world wide it’s very hard to defeat except through sophisticated encryption.

Maybe, Lebanon has been able to acquire sophisticated technology in the areas of computer encryption and telecommunication security? Perhaps, from China or Russia, through Iran? Why would the US ask for access to this technology if it was of no interest to them, and they already had tabs on the inner-workings of such a network? The Lebanese government and Hezbollah seem very upset about this.

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
My big fear here is Israel could be on the verge of what might be a huge miscalculation for the world in kicking off any kind of overt hostilities against Iran. Iran is certain to block at least temporarily the narrow straights of Hormuz which most oil tankers have to pass through with either mines or scuttled ships.

Yes, I fear what you have mentioned here as well. If Iran resorts to those tactics it would bring the world to economic chaos over night. Many of the strategists have mentioned what you have in their scenarios as a response to a strike on the Islamic Republic. So, that response seems probable. It will only be followed by a heavier response by the US and its allies. Escalation and more escalation.

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
The last time they did that after the ‘accidental’ downing of an Iran Air Airbus 300 Commercial Passenger flight by a U.S. Aegis Class Destroyer whose attack system mistook it for a military plane it took a month to remove all the mines the Iranians planted. We had to reflag oil tankers to give them U.S. Military Escort and the mine sweeping effort delayed anything coming out of there for two weeks and then slowed down traffic for a month. That was without full on hostilities no telling what it would be like with full on hostilities but it’s a safe bet Iran will do it again and be able to do it again. A sudden and drastic spike in oil prices could be the straw that breaks the precarious world’s economy back at this point and leads to a world wide economic collapse.

en.wikipedia.org...

The aircraft, an Airbus A300B2 operated by Iran Air as IR655, was flying from Bandar Abbas, Iran, to Dubai, UAE, when it was destroyed by the U.S. Navy's guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes, killing all 290 passengers and crew aboard, including 66 children,[1] ranking it the seventh among the deadliest airliner fatalities.

en.wikipedia.org...

What a catastrophic mistake that was! There was also a naval engagement between Iran and the US Navy around that period as well. It was called Operation Praying Mantis.

Operation Praying Mantis

Operation Praying Mantis was an April 18, 1988 attack by U.S. naval forces in retaliation for the Iranian mining of the Persian Gulf and the subsequent damage to an American warship.

. . . This battle was the largest of the five major U.S. surface engagements since the Second World War, which also include the Battle of Chumonchin Chan during the Korean War, the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the Battle of Dong Hoi during the Vietnam War and the Action in the Gulf of Sidra in 1986.

en.wikipedia.org...

I agree it seems that if this attack is to happen, it could scuttle the world economy within weeks. It could lead to civil unrest around the world as a result of the catastrophic economic ramifications of such a war? The leaders would have to deal with unrest at home, as well as combat operations in the Gulf. That is when the combatants will take desperate measures to bring the conflict to an end, and who knows how far they will go?

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
Beyond that though Israel might be hard pressed if a situation developed out of it where it had to face Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, Hezbollah and the Lebanese army along that border, and Syria streaming up the Golan Heights with the U.S. not being able to do much as it tried to contain Iran with Naval operations in the Gulf and cross border incursions from Iraq and Afghanistan into Iraq. Should some other Arab nation enter into it at that point, well a lot of Israelis could end up regretting it as well as the rest of the world.

From what you have above, the scenario seems plausible? It will be a world war. Furthermore, a conflict of such scope not seen since the Second World War. I am not kidding with that reference either, too many world powers have a lot at stake with a conflict in Iran. Hopefully, it never happens, but it seems the PTB are pushing their luck and playing with Pandora's Box.

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
The scary part is with the world economy in the precarious situation it is and hyper inflation possibly ticking like a time bomb because of bail outs and printing too much money and net to debt ratios, the governments and their politicians might prefer a more face saving way out by crashing it through this kind of war.

Troubling times, that we definitely need to hope will pass in my humble opinion.

This conflict, if it happens, will turn civilization on its axis. It will be a miracle if nuclear weapons remain off the table. Troubling times indeed. Thanks for the reply!


[edit on 2-3-2010 by Jakes51]

reply to post by Jakes51


What the Yahoo article failed to mention that Hizbollah is already part of Lebanon Govt.

Hezbollah, which started with only a small militia, has grown to an organization with seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite television-station, and programs for social development. Hezbollah maintains strong support among Lebanon's Shi'a population, and gained a surge of support from Lebanon's broader population (Sunni, Christian, Druze) immediately following the 2006 Lebanon War, and is able to mobilize demonstrations of hundreds of thousands.

en.wikipedia.org...-CFR-3

I really cannot understand why USA would ask Lebanon for the details of telecommunication. That being said I find it highly unlikely Israel will actually attack Lebanon as since the 2009 Gaza attack it has been under constant heat. Any attack this year may result in highly disastrous long term consequences for Israel.

Edited for typo

[edit on 2-3-2010 by December_Rain]

Originally posted by December_Rain
reply to post by Jakes51

 

What the Yahoo article failed to mention that izbollah is already part of Lebanon Govt.

Hezbollah, which started with only a small militia, has grown to an organization with seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite television-station, and programs for social development. Hezbollah maintains strong support among Lebanon's Shi'a population, and gained a surge of support from Lebanon's broader population (Sunni, Christian, Druze) immediately following the 2006 Lebanon War, and is able to mobilize demonstrations of hundreds of thousands.

en.wikipedia.org...-CFR-3

I really cannot understand why USA would ask Lebanon for the details of telecommunication. That being said I find it highly unlikely Israel will actually attack Lebanon as since the 2009 Gaza attack it has been under constant heat. Any attack this year may result in highly disastrous long term consequences for Israel.

I am puzzled by the US request for information about the telecommunications infrastructure as well? Apparently, the US diplomatic mission was readily acceptable in country, but with all the rhetoric being tossed around, it would seem, they are slowly taking a harsh stance to the US? You are probably right about Israel not attacking, because of how the 2006 invasion went, and the controversy behind the Gaza attack, as you mentioned.

Then, the Gaza invasion of 2009 was quite a heavy handed response by the Israelis and along with it allegations of using white phosphorus in the confrontation. As it stands now, it seems Israel will play it safe, however, there seems to be a lot collaboration among senior Lebanese leadership and Israel intelligence? Those officials who arrested and executed for espionage were high level government employees.

If Israel attacks Iran, it will no doubt have to at least decapitate the leadership of Hezbollah simultaneously, or face a coordinated response by them as well. Plus, they would have to invade and occupy the Hezbollah heartland of southern Lebanon to prevent cross border raids and missile strikes into Israel. Both feats are easier said than done. So, this may be Israel keeping tabs on the opposition and hedging the bets in the event Iran is attacked? Thanks for the reply!