In Sharon's Gaza decision, consolidating an exposed and vulnerable salient (in Gaza actually dozens of salients) is something that is stardard military doctrine.
This is the flaw of the matter. Israel is not in Gaza as it is. 98% of Gaza is under the Palestinian Authority. Israel will not be "leaving" Gaza and it isn't there in the first place. And Sharon's plan also has Israel leaving northern "West Bank." In effect, land is being ceded to terrorists.
I trust Sharon's military judgement not merely because he is the CiC but because his judgement happens to coincide with Frederick the Great's famous military maxim and also coincides with my military judgement formed after 20 years of U.S. military service and 30 years of studying military history.
How does leaving Gaza improve Israel's security? In effect, not only is it a victory to terror, and Israel's security apparatus agrees, it also increases the border area Israel will have to defend, and increases the range of rockets and other Qassams terrorists fire.
I am judging this from a military perspective which the good professor totally ignores.
Again, this professor is just talking about one aspect, which isn't at all the main reasoning behind not leaving Gaza as the opposition brings foward in their campaign. Their arguments are that it is a victory to terror, a security risk, and Israel get's nothing in return as it is still responsible for the Arabs in Gaza.
By allowing Israel to consolidate it's defenses behind it's Wall instead forcing Israel to dilute it's defenses by having to protect numerous isolated and vulnerable civilins enclaves.
I adressed this topic with you on a prior thread on this post: Polybius to yonif: Post 11 posted on 04/27/2004 1:11:32 AM PDT
It boils down to the rights of Israelis to live wherever they please versus the military wisdom of forcing Israel to deploy limited military assests to protect Israelis living in communities outside the boundaries of Israel thereby diverting Israeli resources that might otherwise be used to better military advantage securing Israel's borders.