Why is no one talking about the cluster bombs used in Lebanon? Cluster bombs leave bomb-lets scattered across the land that are essentially the same as landmines. Although human rights groups condemn their use, they are not illegal per international law. Militaries use them because of their shotgun effect to penetrate armor, and they can be used to destroy mines as well, but it is well-known that they also lead to the death of many civilians. Since some of the Hezbollah rockets allegedly contained ball-bearings, it’s only fair game, right? Hell, suicide bombers often emit shrapnel. Hey, Arabs don’t care about life anyways.
Even liberals have failed see any parallels b/w the invasion of Iraq and the invasion of Lebanon.
We have used cluster bombs in Iraq, not to mention “bunker busters” with radioactive uranium (low-level nuclear weapons). Our weapons are also used by Israel to kill Palestinian civilians. The US routinely refuses to criticize Israeli human rights violations. We engaged in a premeditated attack on Iraq and claimed that 911 was one of the main reasons, when in fact it had been planned much earlier. Israel had already been planning an invasion of Lebanon before the July 12th attack.
(http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2006/08/08/israels-attack-was-premeditated/#more-1000). In fact, attacks from both sides of the border have occurred numerous times since Israel ended its occupation in 2000. It is even reported that Israel consulted the US for permission to attack.
This certainly fits the pattern. The US wants influence over the region, and its biggest obstacle is Syria and Iran (admittedly, some of the worst human rights violating governments in the world). Hezbollah is funded by those governments, and since Lebanon has a weak government, they are gaining strength there, regardless of the desires of Lebanese civilians. Israel too wants Hezbollah gone, and if it could set-up an allied government next door it would make them more secure.
This is not some weird conspiracy theory. What we do, allow, or fail to criticize, all set a precedent.
PS
After the writing of this entry, it appears that the US is investigating Israeli use of cluster bombs. This in-and-of-itself is a good thing, even if hypocritical.
