Apparently a few thousand well-trained and highly motivated 'militiamen' armed with a curious mix of high and low-tech weaponry and operating from fixed fortifications, can withstand a pounding from thousands of artillery shells, hundreds of aerial attacks, and tens of thousands of infantry, for a period of time three to four times longer than any Arab army, or combination of armies, has been able to accomplish in the history of the state of Israel.
Is Hezbollah's military (and political?) 'success' (to date) a harbinger of the future? Does it say more about Hezbollah's ability to train, arm, and strategize, or is it more a reflection of a lethargy, bordering on incompetence and impotence, perhaps deriving from hubris, of the Israeli "Defense" Forces and their political leadership?
In the few short days or weeks until the current "As Yet Un-Named War" resumes and expands, these questions will be analysed and argued until a definitive answer is determined on the ground in Southern Lebanon.
The "Vaunted" reputation of the IDF is now severely dented if not gone. Thus we have a "New Middle East", though not the one envisioned by Dr. Rice. A more dangerous and volatile mix of military and political weapons and animosities than ever before, due to the interventionist (military) and isolationist (diplomatically) policies of the current U.S. administration.
The greatest danger will come soon, when the IDF (and the Israeli government) attempt to regain their lost "vaunted" reputation. The actions they will undertake in order to do so will make the last month's fighting pale in comparison.
Such is the nature of regimes, endowed with military 'superpower', facing an impending loss of political power. Where every 'problem' is perceived to be a "crusade" and a "nail" because the only tools they know how to use are their stilted versions of the "truth" and a "hammer".
stephenhsmith
14Aug2006
