Fascinating. “Arab governments… have not come to Hezbollahs defense not even Syria and Iran,” the Times is reporting. (Although Iran did threaten to retaliate if Israel attacked Syria.)
Israel was also pleased by a statement from the Saudi government on Thursday that blamed Hezbollah for adventurism and called on it to end the crisis.
“A distinction must be made between legitimate resistance and uncalculated adventures taken by elements inside Lebanon and those behind them without recourse to the legal authorities or consulting and coordinating with Arab nations,” said a statement published on the official [Saudi] news agency SPA. “These elements should bear the responsibility for their irresponsible actions and they alone should end the crisis they have created.“
FP Passport has more. Meanwhile, my G’town homey Greg Djerjian, who’s dad served as ambassador to both Israel and Syria, advises the Israelis (and the U.S.) not to get too cocky.
Stratfor explains why the sabras probably won’t listen:
Israel lives with three realities: geographic, demographic and cultural. Geographically, it is at a permanent disadvantage, lacking strategic depth. It does enjoy the advantage of interior lines — the ability to move forces rapidly from one front to another. Demographically, it is on the whole outnumbered, although it can achieve local superiority in numbers by choosing the time and place of war. Its greatest advantage is cultural. It has a far greater mastery of the technology and culture of war than its neighbors.
Two of the realities cannot be changed. Nothing can be done about geography or demography. Culture can be changed. It is not inherently the case that Israel will have a technological or operational advantage over its neighbors. The great inherent fear of Israel is that the Arabs will equal or surpass Israeli prowess culturally and therefore militarily. If that were to happen, then all three realities would turn against Israel and Israel might well be at risk.
That is why the capture of Israeli troops, first one in the south, then two in the north, has galvanized Israel. The kidnappings represent a level of Arab tactical prowess that previously was the Israeli domain. They also represent a level of tactical slackness on the Israeli side that was previously the Arab domain. These events hardly represent a fundamental shift in the balance of power. Nevertheless, for a country that depends on its cultural superiority, any tremor in this variable reverberates dramatically. Hamas and Hezbollah have struck the core Israeli nerve. Israel cannot ignore it…
It is difficult to overestimate the impact of the soldier kidnappings on the Israeli psyche… Having a soldier kidnapped by Arabs hits every family in the country. …
The more fundamental issue is this: Israel withdrew from Lebanon in order to escape low-intensity conflict. If Hezbollah is now going to impose low-intensity conflict on Israel’s border, the rationale for withdrawal disappears. It is better for Israel to fight deep in Lebanon than inside Israel. If the rockets are going to fall in Israel proper, then moving into a forward posture has no cost to Israel.
One last thing — has anyone seen confirmation of this Counterterrorism Blog tidbit? “According to Israeli Channel 10, Hezbollah was able to hack into the Israeli Army’s computer systems prior to the attack.”
We can appreciate former President Carter and Democrats who voted for him for all this mess he contributed to for Iran.
i think that it is verry important that israel stop their strike against lebanon because only civilian who dei in this stupid war i i think as a muslim i am obliged to be part of this war in fithing against israel our ennemy by any method ; even weapon , i hope this war stop nearly
Hmmm? TO Mr. Bouserra Nabil
Terrorist organizations were being allowed to operate in Lebanon, kidnap soldiers, and fire their little rockets. Then they cry when their mud huts get bombed. Israel is the enemy because those surrounding countries want them to be. The only thats gonna change is in 2020 you’re gonna be crying about how Israel didn’t give back Lebanon. Just like you cry about Jerusalem and the Gaza strip. Keep this crap up and you’ll all be raising the same camel on the one acre parcel they let you keep when you surrendered. Instead of running around trying to blow stuff up try learning something. Pick up a history book and look up the 6 day war.
“Arab governments… have not come to Hezbollah’s defense — not even Syria and Iran.“
Um… Iranians are Persians, not Arabs.
Israel is right and just for attempting to extinguish the literal rain of suicide bombers, rocket attacks and the murder of it’s citizens by bloodthirsty jihadist savages whom have NO right to live. Israel needs to simply erase any and all traces of the filth called islam from within, and then keep it out forever.…
I think it is very amusing that America and Israel think it is Ok to bomb and invade other countries causing huge casualties but when these countries retaliate they are “terrorists”…would you really just sit by and watch your country invaded and bombed by these countries…no you would fight and that is what is happening…
As for Lebanon i would also like to add that Israel isn
I SUPPORT ISRAEL THEY HAVE THE ONLY TRUE GOD ON THERE SIDE
babykillers=US ARMY.… babykillers=IDF… You will lose in the end…
CIVILLIANS DIED BECAUSE HEZ WERE USUING THEM AS SHEILDS
i think from the date in wich usa is established we can do the following remark
republican fight against the said terrorism by creating the terrorism themeselves once they fall USA to banckrupty democrat come and the notion of terrorism change with theme then the world will forget terrorism notion sevral years we do not knoiw when this flip ‚flop ends
i think once american poeple stop to be gladitor
after having puting out the republican from the white house will mr Barack Obama stop this terrorism theory began by mr George Bush Junior
or we will see a peacefull world we hope, but what is the first obessesion wich the modren man want a good economic feeling or the security, .…
exactly when we are hungry every man can be terrorist , but once we are not terrorism end .…
so we need a world in good economic situation top avoid pushing man to terrorism
is not it
IM USEFUL FOR ARAB PROTEST.