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'America goes to War' Comprehensive coverage of the military buildup only at ORBAT.COM the USA's top orbat source.

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Israel and the United States in bitter recriminations

Relations between these two old and valued allies have suffered the worst buffeting for many years, not since the USS Liberty incident in June 1967 has there been such a level of distrust and anger shown by Israel and the United States. Unfortunately these strained relationships are unlikely to be eased for some time as the United States and its British ally are committed to building a coalition of reluctantly 'dragooned' Muslim States and new found partners in Russia and its former Central Asian Republics to fight a nebulous and shadowy international terrorist threat. However, many of these new allies are un-democratic and with a reputation for supporting terrorism and not the sort of support the West really needs.

Unless the United States now believes that the 'end justifies the means', it is highly inappropriate to be linked with the very nations that do so much to undermine freedom and the very values we are supposed to prize so highly. Russia has acted in a barbaric and merciless manner in Chechnya, Pakistan plays willing host to the terrorists who recently murdered 38 Indian citizens and Iran has been directly responsible for killing many hundreds of US Marines in the Lebanon and countless Israelis over two decades, but these countries are all in the great anti-terrorist 'alliance'.

But are they? Isn't this just a wholly cynical act of political expediency on all sides. The US and British Governments have probably abandoned the Chechens to their fate in order to win President Putins support and who can blame the Israeli's for feeling the cold wind of political change blowing across the Middle East. An 'independent' Palestine State suddenly appears publicly in the US political lexicon just at a time when much of the Arab world is wavering in its support, concerns about human rights are sidelined, if not abandoned in order to maintain a solid front. Just what will actually be achieved after what promises to be nasty little war in the mountains, yet another new Government for Afghanistan, to be bloodily replaced as soon as the West withdraws? The death or capture of Osama Bin-Laden? Neither offers the prospect of peace, his trial could lead to hostage taking situations and his death to martyrdom.

If democracy, free speech and our way of life means anything, then we must preserve them in our own lands first and honour them by our actions abroad. To deny so many the freedoms we prize is anathema to our cause. As AFI Research has said repeatedly for more than 17 years, we must fight terrorism everywhere and at all times, but without losing track of the values we are supposed to be protecting. Appeasing countries that support terrorism for reasons of temporary expediency is lunacy and essentially against the very principles we believe in. Indeed, we may end up being judged by the company we now seek to keep and victory under those circumstances may prove to be as bitter as defeat.  Democracy and compassion are far too precious to throw away simply to gain a short term victory over even the most vicious and cruel enemies.

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'FIGHTING FORCES' a review of 26 of the worlds most important armies is published on the 28th September by Barrons Educational Publishers of New York and written by Richard M. Bennett of AFI Research

It covers in detail the armies of Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey,
as well as the USA, UK, Russia and China.  ISBN 0-7641-5343-9, priced at $29.95 with a 10% discount for orders placed on www.barronseduc.com in September.or call US Toll-free 1-800-645-3476, International  Tel: 631-434-3311 and Fax: 631-434-3217

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Richard M Bennett (UK)

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AFI are pleased to announce a new review of some of the most important armies in world, 'FIGHTING FORCES', to be published on the 28th September by Barrons Educational Publishers of New York and written by Richard M. Bennett.

ISBN 0-7641-5343-9, priced at $29.95 with a 10% discount for orders placed on www.barronseduc.com in September.or call US Toll-free 1-800-645-3476, International  Tel: 631-434-3311 and Fax: 631-434-3217

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