[GW and Twins Pawpaw]

Finish the job!!!!

[tet68]

Mistake #1.

[quidnunc]

Hezbollah wins: Israel loses.

The West is not mentally strong enough to prevail against Islam.

[GrandmaPatriot]

There must be some reason that I don't see for this. I just cannot fathom this response from Israel.

[GeronL]

This is a big victory for Islamo-fascism.

This will embolden them to be ever more aggressive in their attacks on 'the west'

[BobL]

From a different thread. It looks like they chose #4. They're finished.

---

Israel has the following options:

1) Try a war of attrition against the Hezbos.
2) Aggressively seek to wipe out the Hezbos.
3) Attack and occupy Syria.
4) Sue for "peace" or a cease fire.
5) Flatten the Middle East (i.e., nukes)
6) Have and International Force to disarm the Hezbos
7) Head to New York.

Viable options are (3), (5), and (7) presently (and 3 may be difficult to maintain if others get in).

Why not other options:

1) With its supply line basically intact, the Hazbos have an unlimited supply of weapons, animals, and time to keep Israel engaged. Their newer missiles will make more and more of the country unusable.

2) Even a full occupation of Lebanon would mean the Hezbos simply moving east and constantly attacking from Syria. It would be very hard for Israel to maintain the occupation for any length of time.

4) Certain death for Israel if they cut a deal. It would simply mean a defeat for Israel. The Hezbos would then re-arm with MUCH stronger weapons and attack at their will. Additionally, it would impossible for Israel to maintain normal functioning as long as the Hezbos are there. The country would simply wither on the vine.

6) An effective international forces cannot happen. The only two countries that would actively prevent the Hezbos for re-arming are the US and Israel, and the Hezbos can simply re-arm north of the demarcation line. An international force would have to occupy Lebanon and be subject to the same harassment as in Number 2.


Israel has some hard choices to make if they want to remain in that part of the world.

[AdvisorB]

If true, I'm smelling a whiff of appeasemant and surrender.

[Enterprise]

Disappointing.

[Mo1]

do you have any other details?

[P.O.E.]

Say goodbye to "lasting peace". More like "To be continued..."

[nhoward14]

If this is true....

Israel... HERE'S YOUR SIGN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[spyone]

I'm thinking of Neville Chamberlain.

[gondramB]

That sure does sound different than what the Israeli spokeswoman said on Fox about an hour ago.

[Kieri]

How upsetting and sad. Terrorists - 1, Israel - 0.

Hizbollah no longer needs to cringe in terror. They know Israel will pull their punches if they just wait long enough.

Just...disappointing beyond belief.

[July 4th]

This has the Department of State written all over it.

[Sabramerican]

This comes out strangely a couple of hours after Rice arrives in Israel.

[freedumb2003]

I have to assume there is a lot we don't know. Israel has never been a shinking violet. They won't buckle under international pressure (since the international community has always been against it). The always act, forcibly, in their own interests. In that sense they have the most honest diplomacy in the world.

I suspect some major concessions (by Lebanon) have been made in the back channels.

[bd476]

Ping!

[llevrok]

more US leadership?

Finish the job. It's not like you will get any more bad press, Israel.

[NY Attitude]

I just hope that Israel is not bowing to international pressure. Rice should have stayed home.