It would seem natural that the more powerful of two opposing forces would dominate the cycle of escalation in any conflict between the two. But Israel’s just-ended war with Hizb’allah - fought in a world of up-to-the-minute newscasts and political considerations - has discredited that theory.
Every new Israeli move in the war was immediately met by a Hizb’allah escalation - Haifa was hit for the first time; then Tiberias; then the Jezreel Valley; then Hadera. And just the threat of escalating the conflict by launching long-range missiles at Tel Aviv is certain to have affected Israel’s decision making.
To one degree or another, Hizb’allah’s escalation capabilities helped to shape the way Israel fought this war. Hizb’allah effectively employed strategic deterrence against Israel.
Israel must turn this situation around if it is to have any chance of scoring a decisive victory in the next round. Israel, not Hizb’allah, must dominate the escalation cycle.
Failing to take this lesson to heart will only further whet the Islamic world’s appetite for Israel’s demise, which more and more voices are saying is just around the corner after the debacle in Lebanon.
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6 comments so far ↓
1 dod // Aug 21, 2006 at 5:02 pm
2 Jeff // Aug 22, 2006 at 5:19 am
Yes, more amps would be good.
3 dod // Aug 22, 2006 at 4:19 pm
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4 Bert // Aug 22, 2006 at 6:25 pm
What the hell are you talking about? Sure the press made it “seem” that way, but that is how they report. This happens then that happens - that’s what they do, now a commercial break, then the weather.
Isreal had a battle plan and just turned the pages one by one.
Hisbollah was more or less irrelevant. If you mean that by Hisbollah not surrendering after the first air stike they determined whether Isreal would continue - that is like saying the only reason Isreal stuck is because Hisbollah attacked. Duh.
Being in control is being the one able to say “if this then that”. Hisbollah did not have that power. All they could do is shout their “bottle rockets”.
In the end Isreal once again showed restraint understanding that their are only two consequences they are warry of. One is total rejection by the western world (thought they would have to do a lot to turn off the USA), and killing so many Muslims that the “massacre” trigger kicks off a wider conflict.
It is important to recognise that reluctance to cross this line is not for fear of defeat (especially with the US on its side). It is distaste for the killing of huge (that is huge huge) numbers of people (Muslims), even it the victims do recognise the threat.
5 Marsha Carol Watson // Aug 23, 2006 at 6:48 am
In the natural, all seems hopeless….but my 86 year old mother reminded me just a few minutes ago as we prayed together over the phone for Israel, that all is not hopeless nor lost. It does not matter, mama says, if Israel does not have a single friend. Israel does not need anyone but the One True God, who watches over Israel and loves her above all others. Mama said that we should always remember: With God on Israel’s side……Israel always is the Majority!
She also reminded me that it is the same with every true Believer……with God on our side, we always are a majority.
She and I prayed tonight also for God to move the current leadership out and replace it with mighty Zion Warriors who will do whatever needs to be done in order for Israel to obtain a clear and decisive Victory.
Once again I would like to add: All who hate Israel and seek the Nation of Israel’s destruction had better “stand down.” Their arms are not long enough to Box with the Most High God…..and the Most High God is not Allah.
6 Harro Alive // Aug 26, 2006 at 4:45 am
More bombs or More Bytes?
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