Sunday, March 02, 2008

Lebanon Redux?

The Olmert government is committing the same mistakes that were committed in the Lebanon war.
  1. Over reliance on air power

  2. Reluctance to commit ground troops

  3. The same pattern of small scale incursions instead of a massive concentration of force

  4. Unclear goals

  5. Complete disregard for the safety of the civilian population

  6. ...


It is patently clear that the government learned nothing from the Lebanon war and the ensuing Winograd report. How much longer can this go on?

4 comments:

Jameel @ The Muqata said...

Dont forget: Unwillingness to win the war via disporportionate response.


However, the main reason (IMHO) that the IDF hasn't started a full assault is for 2 reasons:

1. Unclear Goals. The government hasn't made it clear that we have to win the war, so the IDF is actually being smart at not doing a half-baked job which accomplishes little.

2. Even more important: The IDF is currently concerned about the Northern Border and the likelihood that Lebanon War III will errupt shortly. Since the IDF has a difficult time simultaneously dealing with 2 fronts, they are holding off on the Southern Front to see what develops up North.

Of course, the IDF and Olmert have failed again (the same way they did up North 1.5 years ago) in that they have failed to provide basic safety for the residents of Southern (and not so southern) Israel.

How long will this go on? Till we have a serious alternative leadership....or until Olmert gets dragged down by a serious criminal invesitgation (anything's possible)

Lion of Zion said...

JAMEEL:

"Since the IDF has a difficult time simultaneously dealing with 2 fronts"

now that's scary. the truth is that hamas and hezbollah are not "real" military threats to israel (in an existential context). if israel can't fight hamas and hezbollah simultaneously, what if israel faced a war with 2 powerful states with real armies at the same time?

Unknown said...

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Mighty Garnel Ironheart said...

On the other hand, what's a proportionate response? If Israel starts shooting missles randomly into 'Aza and starts killing civilians, will anyone buy the line "Well, it's proportional"?