To the Point
Israel Turns 60, for Better or Worse
Israel turns 60 today, celebrating the past but looking forward to an uncertain future. With a growing population of Arabs, can Israel be democratic and remain Jewish at the same time? Also, Hezbollah and renewed violence in Lebanon, and a former commander of the war in Iraq says he was set up for failure.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenIsrael turns 60 today, celebrating the past but looking forward to an uncertain future. With a growing population of Arabs, can Israel be democratic and remain Jewish at the same time? Also, Hezbollah and renewed violence in Lebanon, and General Ricardo Sanchez, former commander of coalition forces in Iraq, accuses the Bush Administration of "gross incompetence and dereliction of duty."
Banner image: A woman places roses on a memorial wall inscribed with names of fallen soldiers at the Israeli army's Armoured Corps' Memorial near Jerusalem. Israel remembers its 22,437 fallen troops during today's annual Yom Hazikaron; Memorial Day commemorations, which falls the day before Israel's annual Independence Day celebrations. Photo: Brian Hendler/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesHezbollah Says Lebanon's Government Has 'Declared War'
Fierce gun battles erupted today in Beirut, Lebanon, after the western-backed government shut down the telecommunications network run by Hezbollah. Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, called that a "declaration of war…for the benefit of America and Israel." Nicholas Blanford is based in Beirut for the Christian Science Monitor .
Read the story6 minIsrael at 60: A Confident Past, an Uncertain Future
George Bush, Tony Blair and Mikhail Gorbechev are among the international dignitaries who will be in Jerusalem next week to mark Israel's 60th anniversary . The landmark event has produced both a joyous celebration of extraordinary progress and somber reflection on what's to come.
Read the story33 minLooking Back on Mission Accomplished
He grew up in one of America’s poorest counties. He retired as the highest ranking Hispanic officer in the US Army. Ricardo Sanchez took over as commander of coalition forces in June, 2003, a month after President Bush had declared, "Mission Accomplished."
Read the story10 min
