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A birdie tells me that this is a head-fake.

Maybe, maybe not, however I don't think it help's Israel's cause to hear Ms. Rice talking about such solutions on TV, because it legitimizes Hezbollah, it gives them power, it says to the world "we have to negotiate with these people (hezbollah), and therefore they must have some power", which helps with their recruiting efforts as well.

We have to provide 100% unconditional support to Israel - the very people arming Hezbollah are the exact same people talking about "bringing down the American empire", and are the exact same people helping the insurgency in Iraq kill or would American troops. Rushing munitions to them is not enough. Providing true verbal support on the world stage is more in line with said support.

You cannot negotiate with terrorists committed to the downfall of your nation or religion - anything else is delaying the inevitable conflict that will start up again in the future.

I agree with this post.

I do think that President Bush has been trying to redefine an appropriate response to terrorist attacks that come from within the midst of civilian populations, and he has been giving Israel plenty of time to fight vigorously.

At the same time, he does get spooked by alleged civilian casualties, and the short-lived cease-fire announced yesterday was a prime example of it.

In short, Israel's mandate seems to be, "Beat Hezbollah to a pulp, but don't hurt anyone else. No collateral damage. Oh, and do it fast."

Nevertheless, I was stunned to see that the very next day after the 48-hour halt on air attacks was announced, President Bush restated his overarching strategic objectives and Olmert felt free to resume air attacks.

I don't think that in the history of the US we have had a president who is more on Israel's side than George W. Bush, and that includes Richard Nixon in the 1973 war.

I don't have a military background, and I can't say whether Israel is using enough force to do the job quickly. I am quite concerned, though, that both Olmert and Peretz, his defense minister, come from the peace camp (Peretz overtly, Olmert in that he advocated Israel's surrender of its Gaza communities and has said -- as recently as last week -- that he intends to do the same in the West Bank). I hope that their heavy reliance on an air campaign is sound military strategy and not because they are afraid to acknowledge the failure of their ideology.

I agree 100% with everything you said. If I was running this show, I would not negotiate at all. We don't negotiate with Al Queada, either -- for the same reasons. When it comes to Hezbollah, nothing less than 100% unconditional surrender will do.

I understand why we are going through this diplomatic Kabuki dance. But that's different from saying that I agree with it.