[Pox]

So if IDF was under your command, you would publicly state that you intended to overrun Lebanon, giving a precise estimate of when you would begin offensive operations, at a point in time well before your military was ready to execute?

Actually, Israel has been telegraphing their moves pretty much since this started, and that has been simply an effort to avoid as many civilian casualties as possible.

I have not advised that Israel start popping nukes in this conflict, but that "advice" would certainly change if WMD's were used against Israel. I think you've left the path of my train of thought. My concern has always been the timidity of the current Israeli government, and my current issue is the backtracking on their insistence that UN resolution 1559 be implemented before their offensive has concluded.

I know the young bucks always want to run in and prove their courage

Would that it were. I haven't' been a "young buck" in quite a long while now, unfortunately.

[jeffers]

Ok, you worry that this man will not stay the course.

My worry, backed up by all recent indications to date, is that he is prone to escalate the kidnapping of three persons into a global crisis, and that he may not have the seasoning necessary to walk the very fine line between rsponding intelligently, and stepping too far over the line to ensure what is now, only a possibility.

He gave the Syrians a 72 hour ultimatum.

What say we suspend this discussion until the man is no longer bound by honor to avoid striking his enemies?