Tune in later (much later) today for a report with photos.

The limitations of time make it nearly impossible to provide nuance or context via five or ten minute television news clips. Nevertheless, we watch because we want, we need, we are addicted to instant news. Where did the latest missile fall? How many were killed? How bad is the damage? Those are the questions television news broadcasts can answer. Who, what, where and when are easy - or they should be, but still the reporters do manage (frequently) to get things wrong, mostly because they are crippled by ignorance and/or do not have time to fact check before deadline. But "why" is impossible. For "why," you need a book. Several books, in fact. And you'll still end up with a subjective point of view, because the Middle East is like a Rorschach inkblot test: different people(s) look at the same thing and each see(s) something completely different. And, incredibly, they are often willing to kill those who disagree with them.

So I do not have high expectations of television news. And I feel sorry for anyone with little knowledge of this conflict who is trying to understand what is going on around here right now by watching the boob tube for a few minutes at the end of a long day. At best, you will be confused. At worst, you will be seriously misinformed.

Since I "get" television's limitations, I mostly take the news for what it is and I don't get all riled up about the theatre aspect. Unless I see something that is pure crap, which is what I saw on a BBC World studio interview tonight.




The BBC anchor in the photo above interviewed a Middle East analyst named Dilip Hiro in the studio - and basically made my jaw drop.

Paraphrased tidbits are below:

Well, said the anchor whose name I did not catch. It seems that, with its actions in Lebanon, Israel is actually siding with Hezbollah in its efforts to abort all chances for peace.

Indeed, concurred Mr. Hiro.

[I believe that is called "leading the witness"]

And then Mr. Hiro explained that there is this thing called an "assymetrical conflict." Israel has a large and powerful army with tanks and fighter planes,  but these poor guerillas only have guns, grenades and missiles. So, unfortunately, they have to use suicide bombers in order to balance the stronger power's military force. It's the only way, you see, explained Mr. Hiro.

The interview ended with Mr. Hiro's astonishing theory left completely unchallenged by the anchor.

Now, I am very (very!) critical of the actions taken by the IDF over the past two days. And yes, I will probably write about that subject in an upcoming post.

I am just wondering two things here:

1. What do suicide bombers have to do with the Hezbollah sending armed men into Israeli sovereign territory in order to kill and snatch Israeli soldiers who were patrolling their own country's border?

2. Does the fact that the anchor failed to challenge Mr. Hiro's astonishing statement about suicide bombers amounting to a "balance of military power" mean that the BBC is, in fact, justifying suicide bombings?

I really do not know what to say. Hey, you BBC people who read my blog, do you know this anchor? Was there was any controversy at work over that insane interview he did with Mr. Hiro? Seriously, I'd like to know.