Will the UN 'peacekeeping' force make a difference in Lebanon?

I'm so very dissapointed by the distance that the international community, particularly Europe, seems to be placing between themselves and the Lebanese issue. The greatest tragedy of the last few weeks of conflict will be if the international community fails to fix the issue of non-state actors within Lebanon for the second time. My feeling is that the best the UN will be able to muster is a half - assed peacekeeping force that will not disarm Hezbollah - once again they operate as a shield from behind which Hezbollah and their allies will regather and prepare for their next assault upon their sworn enemies. Only when Israel no longer exists will you see these parties pleased with the state of affairs within the Middle East.

Hezbollah has played a large sector of the Western media so scarily well that it makes me fear for the future of warfare. How does a terrorist organistation operating with the goal of inflicting maximum casualties upon Israeli civilians and actively abusing and using the Laws of Armed Conflict (Geneva and Hague conventions) come out looking like an oppressed legitimate political party in majority of the Western media? Time and time again the media has printed and screen Hezbollah propaganda of the worst kind - photo and video opportunities choreograhed by Hezbollah for the maximum effect. Damaging false stories and photos that affect public opinion, images that cannot be fixed with a retraction or trying to pass on the truth - negativity sells much better after all.

Only time will tell weather any action of significance is carried out by the UN or its peacekeeping force. Somehow I don't think the same reporters who heavily criticised Israel will be holding the Lebanese government or the UN to their responsibilites of disarming Hezbollah.

Comments from abroad...

Due to hectic work commitments the frequency of my posts may drop off a little. I'm now overseas for work, but am still monitoring Australian politics from afar. Beattie calling the election on the day I flew out will see me vote as a registered overseas voter for the first time - it will be an interesting election. QLD politics is slowly approaching a change of government - I don't think the Coalition will succeed this time around, but in 3 years it should be another story. My tip is for the balance of power within the Coalition to begin to change for the first time. The Liberals will win more seats from Labor than the Nationals will - the next time the Coalition is in power, it will be because the Liberals control Brisbane. The next Coalition leader will be a Liberal, not a National.

This week also saw Howard forced to withdraw his controversial border protection legislation. Steve Fielding did what I hoped he would, and made a decision based on Christian fundamentals that Family First lays claim to standing for. I would have feared to see the reaction if Family First had backed the new laws - this was a decision that Fielding had to make, and he gained good exposure because of the issue. Some commentators on the Left may soon realise that Australia's 'fundamentalist' christians are significantly different to the U.S. religious right that the Fairfax media seems so keen to compare them to. Family First will prove to be a lot more central than right on issues that play on Christian values.

Stem Cell research will be another issue that will dominate the headlines. As a christian, I do not have a problem with allowing stem cell research that does not use a true embryo. What I would like to see is amendments to legislation made to allow this, but at the same time blanket banning research using embryos for good. The ethical line in the sand must be drawn - I find it amazing that some sectors would jump up and down about animal testing for research purposes, but not testing on human embryos. I guess the pro-choice lobby has worked so hard to ensure embryos are not considered to be 'alive', and stem cell research is seeking to take advantage of this viewpoint. Only time will tell if proponents of the amendments can get a movement similar to RU486 occuring in parliament.

Ahh... Queensland politics.

Today saw the QLD Liberal party leader rolled in a party room meeting. Bob Quinn has never been inspiring, and has more often than not under-whelmed the electorate. His replacement Dr Bruce Flegg has scored some strong points on the Beattie government throughout the unfolding health scandals. Caloundra's own Mark McArdle takes the deputy leadership - continuing my hometown's contribution to State politics (Premier Mike Ahern, Deputy Premier Joan Sheldon). I must admit I was a little surprised - I had suspected that if anyone would take the reigns from Quinn it would be up and coming Michael Caltabiano. Having only been in parliament a matter of months after his by-election win, I suspect that this leadership topple occured far too early for Caltabiano's liking. Impressive to see the QLD Liberal Party site has replaced Quinn's photos and biography with Flegg in a matter of hours... makes you wonder if the coup was expected in Liberal circles.

From the government's point of view, it has been a hard week for Beattie. Water has arrived as a second large issue that could be a vote changer at the next election. Suprisingly, Beattie has decided to take this responsibility into his ever growing portfolio. His attempts to deflect criticism from the State Government to Local Government resulted in a unified retort from at a joint media conference from most of South East Queensland's mayors, and past mayor of Brisbane Jim Soorley. This is not an issue that will go away - and 'dealing' (throwing money) at the problem will ensure fiscal issues for a budget that did not allocate a cent to the two new dams or any other major water infrastructure projects. If only the Coaliton could make an intelligent contribution to the debate, and leave scare tactics like sex-changing fish out of it.

Howard realigns for the upcoming campaign

John Howard has begun to unveil the makings of the campaign tactics for the 2007 election. This week Howard has been apologising for both the interest rate rise and petrol prices - and letting voters know there hasn't been too much he can do about either. I see Howard crafting a simple campaign - both Costello and Howard have been talking up concerns within the economy - their tactic will be to convince voters the economy is to delicate to risk changing management and giving an unproven Labor treasury team the reigns.

This fear will target Beazley's plans to rip up AWAs, abolish foreign skilled workers (seriously increasing the skills shortage in the short term, despite what Labor policy incentives he promises in the medium to long term) and increase spending on capital infrastructure (increasing strains on skills and capital, putting pressure on the economy again).

One of the most interesting points that have come out of the interest rate rise this week is the realisation that it is the number two issues for households around Australia. Petrol pinches the weekly budget far more significantly - and it affects all Australians, not just those with morgatges. This is also an issue that the average Australian realises is not the fault of the Government - in fact, after Howard ensured the tax was on litres of petrol, not percentage of the price, petrol won't be an issue that will stick to Howard.

It will be interesting to see this week Labor attempt to begin establishing their economic credentials - putting forward alternative policy perhaps? (not likely)....

Parliament resumes after one of the most turbulant winter breaks in recent times - leadership dramas, middle east conflict to name some of the issues. Let the games begin!