[JRandomFreeper]

It should be obvious that Israel is incapable of coalition building.

Please explain why this is militarily important (besides to talking heads on TV). Why should a nation under attack of arms care about what other people think? As I recall, France didn't help a young nation until General George proved that we would kick butt. Franklin didn't make much progress at coalition building until we PROVED that we would make it.

/john

[LibKill]

As I recall, France didn't help a young nation until General George proved that we would kick butt. Franklin didn't make much progress at coalition building until we PROVED that we would make it.

Of course. Who would bet on an untried horse?

French support for the American revolution was not an exercise in altruism. It was more like, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

France was at war with England. Supporting the Rebel Colonists was in French self-interest.

[bonesmccoy]

Military struggle is only one element. Only short sighted people think the war is the ends. The reality is that war is only one token in a larger poker game.

Regarding your recollection of the American revolution, the analogy is weak and irrelevant to discussion of Israel's response to an Iraqi strike.