(Map of zone occupied in Operation "Peace for the Galilee" – 1982
"JERUSALEM – Israel declared Tuesday it was ready to fight Hezbollah guerrillas for several more weeks and possibly send ground forces into Lebanon, raising doubts about international efforts to broker an immediate cease-fire in the fighting that has killed more than 260 people and displaced 500,000. Despite the diplomatic activity, Israel is in no hurry to end its offensive, which it sees as a unique opportunity to crush Hezbollah." Nessman
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As Richard Cohen said in his op/ed in the Washington Post today, we’ve been here before. My sources indicate to me that preparations have begun for entry of a large Israeli ground force into southern Lebanon. This is probably a contingency option as yet, but as the IDF "discovers" that Olmert’s list of desirables are unattainable with AIR POWER (sound of trumpets) and artillery plus the odd commando raid, then the contingency option will become the plan.
It appears that the IDF has learned a lot about media management. More about this later.
Pat Lang
WPL, the State Dept saying today “the only problem in the current conflict is Hezballah and the US won’t interfere with Israel’s right to defend itself” is another way of saying, “we’re going to let the IDF mop up as much of Hezballah before we allow the UN to broker a cease fire”?
I love the sound effects – (sounds of trumpets)
M
Quote of the Day
Our quote of the day comes from Col. Pat Lang:
It appears that the IDF has learned a lot about media management. . .
Likudniks have been spending too much time with the neo-conservatives in hookah-land.
Any thoughts on what Syria will do if the IAF makes pre-emptive strike against the Syrian air defense. It covers parts of southern lebanon doesnt it?
Missile War Is a New Challenge To Israel’s Long Rule of the Sky
“Even if the military operation may temporarily stop the rockets from Lebanon and Gaza, Israel must be ready to pay a certain price, namely to negotiate in order to stop it forever,” said Gabriel Sheffer, a political science professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. “There will be no end to the rockets until there is a political and cultural solution to the broader conflict.”
(snip)
“In order to get rid of rockets, you have to occupy the territory,” said Zeev Schiff, the longtime military affairs correspondent for the Israeli daily Haaretz who co-wrote the definitive account of the Lebanon war. “If you took south Lebanon, you might solve the short-range rockets. Then, people will tell you, Hezbollah will just find longer-range missiles. So do you occupy northern Lebanon? So it goes.”
I don’t invasion there will be a political/cultural solution any time soon, and Israel can’t occupy the entire Middle East. What is Plan B?
Bush accuses Syria
Israel accuses Iran
Israeli ground troops enter southern Lebanon
What does Syria, Iran and Lebanon have to say?
Do such lethal clowns ever have a Plan B? Failure is not an option — I seem to have heard rather often — and thus are houses of cards constructed.