Ze’ev Schiff analysis on the war

Ze’ev Schiff writes a read-in-full article regarding the results of the war:

The war should be divided into military and political aspects. In military terms, the IDF won on punches landed. Hezbollah suffered a serious blow to all its command and logistics positions; its elite units fought well and with courage, having better knowledge of the terrain. The young IDF conscripts showed willingness to meet the enemy, make sacrifices, and rescue wounded comrades. On the other hand, Israel suffered a heavy blow on its northern towns, and the IDF did not manage to limit the number of rockets launched against the home front. Only Hezbollah’s long-range missiles were really destroyed.

Throughout the war, Israel failed to kill Hezbollah’s leadership. The air force proved its mettle north of the Litani River, but failed in its efforts against short-range rockets in the south. The air force’s advanced technology was insufficient to meet every operational problem it confronted.

Israel’s deterrence lies in its air force and willingness to respond immediately and forcefully against large targets such as Beirut. This is a lesson for Damascus. There are those in the cabinet who believe that the air force caused too much damage. Others believe that the IDF should have been more aggressive. Nasrallah knows what would happen to his organization and Lebanon if Israel is challenged again.

I think there will be much discussion in coming weeks about what happened. I also think that the Israeli army will adapt to Hezbullah’s tactics of firing anti-tank missiles at soldiers. Oh. And I also think that the cease-fire will not hold. It’s already been broken. And Baby Assad has been enboldened by his ability to send missiles at Israel via his clients in Lebanon. Daddy couldn’t liberate the Golan, and the Dorktator thinks he will be able to. I’m thinking not.

I’m also thinking that Bibi Netanyahu thinks he can make political hay out of Ehud Olmert’s failure to get a clean victory.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday afternoon that Israel’s month-long military offensive in Lebanon had dealt Hezbollah a “harsh blow,” and vowed to continue to pursue the leaders of militant organization.

But speaking after Olmert, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud criticized the government for what he said was its failure to meet its self-declared aims.

By the way, for my American readers who think that Bibi is simply the bee’s knees and should be Prime Minister of Israel: He already was once. He failed miserably, and he won’t get another chance. Israelis can’t stand him. Try not to make the mistake of taking American conservatives’ opinions as meaningful Israeli opinions. They most assuredly are not.

Netanyahu’s future should be as the voice of Israel. His job should be PR, PR, PR. He is eloquent, handsome, charming, and an excellent debater. He should be Israel’s face to the world during all crises and major events.

Not that it will ever happen. He’s too ambitious, still, and his rivals distrust him too much. But he should be Israel’s spokesman. He has a gift for it. I saw him at the West Orange JCC in NJ during Operation Moses, and I was pretty broke at the time. I contributed after I heard him speak.

Don’t run, Bibi. Don’t run.