cam, 260 words, 1 comment, Israel, Separation of Church and State, Secularism

Israel is drafting a new constitution with the goal of it being in place for the state's sixtieth birthday. Apparently Israel is not governed with a written constitution. In any religious state there is always the issue of secularisation:

The real obstacle that has impeded a constitution for 60 years is not the Arabs, but the disagreements between the secular and the religious. If a decade ago it was clear that a constitution would mean a separation of religion and state, says Abramowitz, now the discourse is on a constitution the religious can live with. And why should the religious agree? In order to change the status quo, where the Supreme Court determines its own jurisdictions, by determining the Knesset's and the court's jurisdictions in advance.

While it may be politically sensible, it is constitutionally unwise to allow religion into the constitution or have any constitutional role in government - especially the judiciary. (more)

avocadia, 742 words, 1 comment, liberty, foreign policy, United States, Kosovo, Iraq, Israel, Kurdistan

What is a superpower and holder of the moral high ground to do when no matter what they do, they are criticised? (more)

cam, 893 words, 0 comments, Total War, Public Opinion, Israel, Hezbollah, Guilio Douhet

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is the closest thing to state-on-state warfare we have seen in the Middle East for quite a while. If Southern Lebanon was a nation-state, this fits the Westphalian view of state violence and would probably be formalised with a declaration of war. Interestingly, the strategies of both sides in this conflict presume their opponent is engaged in total war. (more)