So there's a lot I want to say right now about the middle east. Looking back, I still think Israel would have been better off with a more limited strike, a withdrawal (including from Sheba farms), a prisoner exchange, and thne a massive threat to Syria. But the question remains, what to do now? I just don't know.

The political situation in Israel is very bizarre. Olmert and Peretz's popularity are shot. There is no natural leader. Peres is too old, and I don't think the public trusts Netanyahu. I hope the population doesn't swing to the right here. Kadima may be finished, but where will they go? To Labour? It's all up in the air right now. I hope the IDF does withdraw from Sheba farms in the end, and that there is a prisoner exchange. Give them all their prisoners back. Then, if Hezbollah breaks the ceasefire again, Israel will be justified in using force. If not, maybe there can actually be progress towards peace.