[DonnerT]

I am surprised by the weakness of the Israeli offensive thus far. Have they underestimated this enemy? Or are they trying to keep Egypt and Jordan on the fence and protect the US exposed position in Iraq?

Would you send your boots into ground zero pre or post?

[StJacques]

"I am surprised by the weakness of the Israeli offensive thus far. Have they underestimated this enemy? Or are they trying to keep Egypt and Jordan on the fence and protect the US exposed position in Iraq?"

Regardless of what assets Hezbollah may or may not have, Israel has proven to the world that they have the moral upper hand here. Yes; there is still plenty of anti-Israeli feeling out there, but the sum total opinion of just about everyone who matters is that Israel is being given the go-ahead to at least take Hezbollah down a notch -- the U.S. would actually like to see them taken out -- and as long as Hezbollah can prove they actually do have some real capability, that consensus of opinion is not going to change. Israel is very well advised to simply use their air power and try to force Hezbollah to expend its assets. What happens when Hezbollah's supply of missiles runs out? All they will have left is ground troops and they will have to bring those out into the open. That is when the Israelis should strike, when Hezbollah has nothing left but troops carrying rifles and then Israeli superiority in arms can be brought to much more telling effect.