Are we seeing 1914 again?

I don't want to overstretch any historical analogy--but it seems that the idea of a "blank check" given by a major power--Germany, US--to a subordinate--Austria, Israel--dealing with a traditional enemy--Serbia, Syria(?)--is pretty compelling. Both the Austrians and the Israelis felt their national existence was directly threatened. The Hapsburg regime was determined to finish off Serbia once and for all, and the Germans backed them to the hilt. Is the analogy, such as it is, complete? Is there an understanding between the Bush regime and the Israelis, that the time has come to "deal" with Syria once and for all? I am *not*, in this context, arguing for the rights or wrongs of this policy, though I do think, given the tinderbox that is the Middle East, that it would be an over-reaction. It is clear, though, that what we're seeing is only the beginning, and that Syria pretty obviously is the real target of this--and maybe Iran as well... This didn't work out so hot in 1914 for anybody. Let's hope that history *doesn't* repeat itself again...

History consists of the same stupid mistakes made over and over. If we really learned from the lessons of history then history would be quite different.