Smallpox driving Middle Eastern instability and potential for American aggression

A newly released statement by the United States government illustrates its intent to address potential targeted outbreak with force, likely against the Gaza Strip

Mitch Kelsey, Al Jazeera

Although previous reports of official Egyptian military support remain unsubstantiated, rumors continue to swirl about the escalating American involvement and possibly reactions by the region's security organizations. Both the Egyptian and Syrian administrations have pledged support for the defense of Palestinian land in the event of American preemptive actions.

Likewise, the al-Qassam Brigades and Hezbollah have each expressed their intent to retaliate against Israeli-American aggression. Al Jazeera sought an opinion from the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) on whether or not it would resist American interventionism but received no comment on the issue at this time.