[Southack]

"Yes, but the war never would have happened in the first place if Sharon was still in power or if Bibi had been elected." - jhp

Incorrect.

Al Qaeda is losing, and losing badly around the world. Chechnya is surrendering to Russia. Taliban do little more than toss hand grendades out of remote, rural caves. Hussein's in jail. Zarqawi's dead. Basayev is dead. Khalid Sheikh Mohamed is in jail. Hamas is getting smashed in Gaza...

To relieve this pressure on Hamas in Gaza, and to aid Al Qaeda in the war, Hezbollah opened up a new front in Southern Lebanon. Their gamble was that Israel wouldn't want to deal with a two front war, and that if Israel invaded Lebanon that Syria and/or Iran (perhaps even Egypt!) could be drawn into this war.

Didn't happen. Won't happen. But the attacks on Israel would have occured regardless of who was Israel's PM.

[ScaniaBoy]

I think you are correct. This is an emergency strategy - set in play by Iran. However, if Israel hadn't allowed Hezbollah move into the border area during the last 6 years, they wouldn't have had the possibilty to launch such a strong offensive. Barak, Peres, Sharon, Olmert are all guilty of that oversight.

[mathluv]

Fox just said the border between Gaza and Egypt will re-open tomorrow. I wonder how much in ammo will come through there?

[bvw]

Agree as to conclusions, not as to why.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

To relieve this pressure on Hamas in Gaza, and to aid Al Qaeda in the war, Hezbollah opened up a new front in Southern Lebanon. Their gamble was that Israel wouldn't want to deal with a two front war, and that if Israel invaded Lebanon that Syria and/or Iran (perhaps even Egypt!) could be drawn into this war.

Agreed. But do you think Hezbollah made this call on their own or were they acting under orders from Iran?