15levels

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3277234,00.html Does this look like a falling f-16 ?

Thats funny. Last time it was Israelis entering Beirut if I recall properly. And about deployment of the army, where were you 6 years ago when that was really needed? And all of the sudden, virtually "no army in Lebanon" can be deployed? You cant offer unconditional ceasefire because you are not the one who is firing, its your friend Nasrallah who you cannot control.

Come on, boys, lets play nice. I have no intent to get personal. I am not trying to give any saga any character. Hizballah is hurling rockets wherever they can, the same as Israelies. I think we already established that fact. The problem is the Israeli bombs inflict much bigger damage. At this rate, until Hizballah runs out of ammunition, nothing will be left of poor Lebanon. I dont want that, do you? I have friends living in Beirut, I am worried for them just as much, but I am also worried for my friends living in Nazareth. The question is this: where do we go from here? Lets see what Israel will not compromise on: Hizballah must get out of South Lebanon, Lebanon must take control of its borders. Two countries sign a peace deal, Lebanese prisoners are released and this is done with.

Well, I guess the Middle Ages horsmen fights are over. Kidnapping solders is not a gentleman act, eh? He is playing you fine and you make him a hero. Look around, Sassun, Beirut would be just fine if the "hero" would go start a war elsewhere.

I hope the Armenian church in Nazareth is not hit. Nasrallah would surely please his muslim brothers if Hizballah blows up the Church of the Annunciation.

It makes no sense, Sassun. Israelies would not send ground forces across the border before making sure the mine fields are cleared. They already lost a tank and 4 man because they ventured 1 km into the Lebanon without taking precautions.

My point is that whoever you are this conflict forces you to take a side. As for the terrorism, state or private, there is nothign to be said, both sides are guilty, both have disregard for civilians when it comes to hunting down the enemies. I dont need to go back to "the chicken and the egg" argument because its pointless, but this conflict began with kidnapping of 2 solders, Nasrallah is not an idiot, he knew well once he does that, Israel will come after him. Now he wants Israel to occupy South Lebanon once again, clever as he is, I doubt it will happen. Interesting, I just thought of that ugly incident with Zidane during the final. The italian called him "a son of the terrorist whore" and got what he wanted, Zidane lost his temper. So who's side are you on? If you fancy the French then Zidane simply responded to provocation. If you fancy the Italians he is nothing else but a brute. Catch my drift?

They didnt say it was used to launch rockets from Beirut. They said they hit the logistic infrastructure, the coordinating centers or whatever. Something was being said about a certain neighborhood in Beirut which is a stronghold of Hizballah and that it was targeted. I dont imagine Hizballah burning 3 Israeli tanks and none of that being reported in Israel.

No doubt, massacre of civilians is a war crime whoever commits it. However if memory serves me well Lebanese did a pretty good job massacring each other during the civil war. Hizballah is a terror entity, either way you look at it and until its gone from the south Lebanon, I dont see this conflict ending.

Robert Fisk has always reported from the Arab side, he spent many years in Beirut and Middle East as The Independant correspondent, his articles always present Arab side of the story, never Israeli. He has been the biggest critic of US and Britain policy toward Middle East, well, his view of Turkey needs no introduction. He is a big friend of Armenia. But objective about Israel he has never been.

I respect Robert Fisk very much, his work done for the genocide recognition is invaluable. But to call him inbiased when it comes to Israeli / Arab conflict is laughable.

There was just now a press conference of the Israeli Air Force and the Intelligence. They showed number movies of the hits on rocket launchers and building in Beirut (which they claimed are intelligence centers of Hizballah). They admitted Hizballah has many many rockets, in thousands, but also said they have managed to distroy some parts of them. Over 30 rockets were fired today to Israel, one of which claimed 8 lifes in Haifa Train station. Nothing is said about tanks which Hizballah claims to have distroyed, which is obviously a propoganda since there are no ground forces in Lebanon, all the military activity is limited to bombing. Obviously the big part of this war is pshycological. I am pretty sure both sides use false information to disinform the enemy. There is no panic on this part of the border, people just stand by and wait until this shit calms down. Thats it for now.

I want to remind you that Israel has one all the wars so far and its not just because of the military capabilities. Today Israel has normal relations with Egypt and Jordan, and thats a proof that they can live in peace with Arab neighboors when they are not attacked or provoked. Jordan has hundreds of thousands palestinians who hate Israel just as much as Hizballah and yet you dont see one attack launched from Jordan on Israel. Why? Because Jordanians keep control of their country and its borders. Lebanon proved to be a different story. Israelies are patriots, in the difficult moments they unite so Israel will not go down the "sewers" as Arpa put it. There are many people here who dont support the policies of the government, oppose the occupation and hate oppression just like anyone else. To put them all in one basket and call them "murderous jews" is simply not fair. But even them, when the moment comes when their country is at war, will fight to the last man. They proved it on many occasions. Israel made a bad mistake by underestimating the enemy, the Hizballah, allowing them to regroup, rearm and prepare for this war. Actually Israel made many mistakes, bombing civilian targets is brutal and not justified, as I said before, those who gave orders for that should be put to trial for war crimes. But then same should be applied to Nasrallah, I want to see him on trial for starting this mess, he is just as much responsible for the misery of Lebanese people because he is using them as hostages in war. They hide like rats among the civilians, perfectly knowning that once they draw fire, the blame will be put squarely on Israel. Come out and fight like a man, if you are talking about honor. This war must stop, before it goes out of control. I hope sanity prevails on both sides before its too late.

.. and not a word so far about the drawing

I just need to give it a face, so for me it would be easier to visualize it, connect it to the something less vague than aspirations or collective imagination.

What would be the right thing to do in your opinion, Sassun?

Sassun jan, I hope the storm passes by you and your loved ones. Be strong! These are difficult days, this madness should stop, we dont want to go back 50 years, enough with wars...

Totally agree with Sassun.

Few quiestions, Sassun. 1st: Would you die for Nasrallah? Or is Nasrallah Lebanon and you'd die for Lebanon? Its interesting, we are both Armenians, living in 2 countries hostile to one another and our loyalties lie where we are. But I am quite sure I would not be willing to die for Israel. 2nd: If Hizbollah is in fact Lebanese, then the act of kidnapping of Israeli solders is an act of war against a sovereign state and Lebanese are paying the price for it. Did he consolt with the rest of the country before he declared a war on Israel? Or was he just quietly waiting until the moment is right (Gaza mess and all) to strike? Israel withdrew from Gaza, ending the occupation of it (that was the consensus here, that it was time to end occupation, surely now seen as a big mistake considering the rise of Hamas to power), therefore the firing of Kassams from Gaza into Israel and kidnapping of Israeli solder gave Israel the proper legitimation to retaliate. The response is not proportional, by all means and I can surely say is a war crime. Those responsible for dropping 1000 kilogram bomb on a building in Gaza should be tried in court. However, is firing Katushas on civilian targets not as cruel as bombing bridges? 3rd: Nasrallah wants to release all Arab prisoners in Israel, including Hamasniks who, the moment they are free, will take up arms and plan more suicide missions. Israel would never release them, not until there is a comprehensive peace deal, with 2 nations with 2 states. I dont see how is that possible in visible future, do you? 4th and last: Are all Lebanese want Israel to disappear from the map? Including you?

Sassun, would you die for Nasrallah? Or is Nasrallah Lebanon and you'd die for Lebanon? Its interesting, we are both Armenians, living in 2 countries hostile to one another and our loyalties lie where we are. But I am quite sure I would not be willing to die for Israel.

Thanks again for the info Error 404 and for the kind words. 15levels.com is my personal portfolio, not a company. I am starting to work on illustrations for Sasna Tzrer, and right now doing the necessary research, so your help is kindly appreciated.

I am just wondering if Hizballah consists of Lebanese or Palestinians who were expelled from Israel 60 years ago. If Lebanese want to independant country, how come they tolerate an army of Hizballah they cant control. Today few in Lebanon question why Hizballah decides on "war or peace" and not Lebanese government. From Israeli point of view, any attack eminating from independant country with international border is a declaration of war. I think Israelis trying to achieve a wider goal with their operation in Lebanon and that is to de-legitimate Hizballah in the eyes of Lebanese people and force them out of the border with Israel. They say if Lebanese wont do it, they will create a buffer zone to prevent katusha launches on the Israeli cities on the north. Hiting Beirut is used as pressure to show that there is no other way, I dont think any sane person on either side would want Israelis to take over Beirut once again. Unfortunately it seems civilians are paying heavy price on both sides, obviously Lebanese are in bigger numbers because they cant return fire on the same scale as Israeli army. I just wonder, it seems Hizbollah has a very large support base among Lebanese, is this true Sassun jan? U live there perhaps you can tell us some more about it... looking forward.

So it begins. Military analysts in Israel have been talking for quite a while about the inevidable military confrontation, which could escalate and put the whole region up in flames. They were saying "it will get worst before it gets any better". As I see it, massive use of force of Israel in Gaza which killed many civilians provoked Hizballah to attack Israeli border on the north in bid to divert attention from Gaza. One thing they overlooked, is a simple fact of Israeli military superiority. Israel can handle war on 2 fronts or even more. The problem with Hizballah is that it was given time to prepare for this conflict, since the withdrawal from Lebanon 6 years ago. Israel should have never allowed them to operate freely all this time and now they claim they have 10.000 rockets to hit across the border. So where do we go from here? Airstrikes that cause massive damage and lives of civilians on both sides? In Israel the objective is clear. Hit Hizballah , hit Hizballah hard, force Lebanese government into blaming them for the war noone needs and disarm them. Its hard to predict what will happen, I pray this wont turn into another major conflict, but so far, neither side is prepared to stop shooting.

Thanks for the info Error 404, it was very useful. By the way, what is the exact translation of word "Sasun" ?

Can someone point out where was the location of Sasun fortress in the Sasna Tzrer Epos? Is it Vaspurakan? And another question. King Gagik (father of Tsovinar) in the Epos.. who could be the historical reference for him?