That's why they call it Foggy Bottom

This afternoon, Israeli news has finally found something to eclipse Olmert's sinking ship. The Jerusalem Post reports.

Hizbullah gunmen seized nearly all of the Lebanese capital's Muslim sector from Sunni foes loyal to the US-backed government on Friday following the country's worst sectarian clashes since the bloody 15-year civil war.

At least 11 people have been killed and more than 20 wounded in three days of street battles and gunfights, security officials said. The takeover by the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hizbullah presented a blow to US policy as President George W. Bush's administration has been a staunch supporter of the government in Beirut over the last three years.

Wow--you think? Perhaps this might have something to do with George's visit next week?

President Shimon Peres said Friday that it was clear that this onslaught was part of Iran's attempts to take over the Middle East. "It is a tragedy for Lebanese residents," added Peres. "It has no connection whatsoever with Israel. It is internal conflict."

"As a human being and as an Israeli I pray that a civil war is avoided," he said, Army Radio reported.

Peres remains eternally clueless. Either this is total Israeli disinformation or the Old Man needs to follow Dennis Miller's advice and break into his piggy bank and buy a clue.

About 100 Shi'ite Hizbullah terrorists wearing matching camouflage uniforms and carrying assault rifles marched down Hamra Street, a normally vibrant commercial strip in a mainly Sunni area of Beirut. They took up positions in corners and sidewalks and stopped the few cars braving the empty streets to search their trunks.

I wonder if anyone in the State Department is awake over in Foggy Bottom or whether, after years of breathing their own swamp gas, they exist in some unending miasma. Unless US foreign policy is to hand over hegemony to the Iranians, what are all those policy wonks doing everyday?

Perhaps if Mr. President would like to have some feedback from outside the Beltway Loop, he could easily stop by the Galilee next week and I would be glad to show him the ropes.